Optokinetic memory in the locust

Abstract

Summary 1. A migratory locust is held relative to a stationary contrasting visual field and all lights are then turned off while the visual field is moved in the dark. On re-illumination the locust turns its head as in an optomotor response.

2. The response shows that the locust can retain the former position of the visual field to 0.1° over many seconds in the dark.

3. No preference for edges, as opposed to areas, appeared when a drum of equal black and white stripes was used as stimulus. In this respect the locust differs from the crab.

4. As in the crab, the optokinetic memory is interpreted to be a part of the visual stabilization mechanism.