Temporal resolution of C. vicina compound eyes and ocelli

Abstract

Most flying insects have two visual systems which serve different purposes depending on the insect. The compound eyes are the main visual system and provide the insect with better spatial vision, while the ocelli act as a secondary visual system and often provide faster processing at a lower spatial resolution. To accomplish this, ocelli can have widely varying characteristics, including temporal resolution. The goal of this study was to examine the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) of the blowfly Calliphora vicina's compound eyes and ocelli using electroretinography. We found that C. vicina's compound eyes and ocelli both have a maximum CFF of 240-250 Hz, which is consistent with its natural light environment, flight behaviors, and the CFF values found for other Dipteran species.