ABSTRACT
Mechanical or electrical stimulation of widely separated parts of the body or appendages of Sphodromantis lineola produces a premature expiratory stroke with coupled spiracle movements when the ongoing frequency is low. The rhythm is then normally reset. Flashes of light directed at the eyes produce the same results. The responses may become phase-locked to repeated stimuli but usually soon habituate.
Similar stimulation during CO2-evoked hyperventilation produces at most tonic effects.
Electrical stimulation of thoracic or abdominal connectives with single shocks at up to 3 Hz can produce non-habituating phase-locked ventilation. Such stimulation also produces miniature bursts in spiracle 1 which follow shocks on a 1:1 basis sometimes at up to 45 Hz. It is suggested that they result from the stimulation of an interneurone which co-ordinates ventilatory activity in the insect.
