Radio frequency magnetic fields disrupt magnetoreception in American cockroach.
Vácha M, Puzová T, Kvícalová M · 2009
View Original AbstractAmerican cockroaches' geomagnetic field reception was disrupted by weak radio frequency fields at 1.2 MHz and 2.4 MHz but not at 7 MHz.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested how weak radio frequency magnetic fields affect the American cockroach's ability to sense the geomagnetic field. A 1.2 MHz field disrupted this sense at intensities between 12 nT and 18 nT, while a 2.4 MHz field required between 18 nT and 44 nT. A 7 MHz field had no effect even at the highest tested intensity of 44 nT. The disruptive effect was strongest at the Larmor frequency of 1.2 MHz. The researchers measured the rise in locomotor activity induced by periodic changes in the geomagnetic North position by 60 degrees.
Why This Matters
The authors interpreted the frequency-specific disruption as evidence of resonance effects. They suggested that insects may share the same magnetoreception system as birds.
Study Details
As the first such study in invertebrates, our work offers evidence that geomagnetic field reception in American cockroach is sensitive to a weak radio frequency field.
Furthermore, we show that the `deafening' effect at Larmor frequency 1.2 MHz is stronger than at dif...
The onset of the disruptive effect of a 1.2 MHz field was found between 12 nT and 18 nT whereas the ...
The results indicate resonance effects rather than non-specific bias of procedure itself and suggest that insects may be equipped with the same magnetoreception system as the birds.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2009_radio_frequency_magnetic_fields_1540,
author = {Vácha M and Puzová T and Kvícalová M},
title = {Radio frequency magnetic fields disrupt magnetoreception in American cockroach.},
year = {2009},
url = {https://jeb.biologists.org/content/212/21/3473.short},
}