Shields, VonnieMartin, Timothy Lee2015-12-172015-12-172011-10-192011-05TSP2011TMartinhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/1925(M.S.) -- Towson University, 2011.Gypsy moth larvae are highly polyphagous feeders. They possess taste sensory organs, the medial and lateral galeal styloconic sensilla, which play an important role in host-plant selection through the detection of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids. The styloconic sensilla each house four taste receptor cells, including a sugar, salt, deterrent, and inositol cell. Using a single cell electrophysiological tip-recording method, my aim was to characterize the temporal firing patterns and sensitivities of the receptor cells within each sensillum when exposed to a selected phytochemicals. These results revealed that one or more cells responded to selected alkaloids, sugars, sugar alcohols, and salt. The deterrent cell exhibited a robust temporal firing pattern and displayed varying sensitivity to alkaloid stimulation. I also examined the effects of mixture interactions of these phytochemicals on food palatability. This study offers insights into the role of phytochemicals, especially alkaloids, in the taste physiology of this larval insect.application/pdfvi, 55 pagesengCopyright protected, all rights reserved.Text