The Central Control of Oriented Locomotion in Insects - Towards a Neurobiological Model

A neurobiological model for the higher control of oriented locomotion in insects is developed here. It is based on studies in a genetic model insect, the fruit fly Drosophila melangaster. Reference is made to other insects, where respective functions are not yet studied in Drosophila. Flies can walk swiftly with up to 16 steps per second, each leg, on almost any substrate and in any orientation to the gravity vector. To bring about this astounding maneuverability and agility the central complex within the insect brain derives directional commands for the leg coordination centers in the thoracic nervous system. Neuroanatomical information is taken into account with regard to the general flow of information in this central brain structure. Particular projection systems and circuits can be linked to certain control functions. The functional model can be put to the test in computer simulations and robots.