using associative learning and olfactory senses of heliothis virescens to identify and locate...
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Using Associative Learning and Olfactory Senses of Heliothis virescens to Identify and Locate Methamphetamine
Laboratories
By Lei’La’ BryantSchool of the Osage
Background Information
Background Information
Background Information
Background Information
Background Information
Background Information
Background Information
Purpose The purpose of this study is to discover the
capabilities of Heliothis virescens to be conditioned through associative (Pavlovian) testing and determine if the trained moths
can be used in the narcotics field to identify and locate methamphetamine laboratories.
Hypothesis
The hypotheses state that:
I. If Heliothis virescens subjects are conditioned in a Pavlovian manner,
the moths will be ultimately trained and able to identify
chemical compounds ethylene ether and ammonia.
Hypothesis
II. If a carrier is constructed of lightweight PVC pipe, a small
motorized fan, and cellophane, the carrier will be easily portable and
efficient in moth proboscis protrusion observation in the field.
HypothesisIII. If trained Heliothis virescens encountered already blended and
“cooked” methamphetamine samples, the moths will be able to
note the specific chemical compounds ethylene ether and ammonia amidst the drugs, and their proboscides will protrude in
response.
Method
Discussion of Results
Percentage of Moths Successfully Conditioned
By Conclusion of Experimentation
Control Group Experimental Group
Ether Ammonia
Ether Ammonia
0% 0% 100% 100%
100 100
0
20
40
60
80
100
Per
cent
of
Mot
hs
Ether Ammonia
Percent of Moths Successfully Conditioned During Experimentation
160
64.6
0
50
100
150
200
Dis
tanc
e in
Met
ers
Ether Ammonia
Corrected Distances of Heliothis virescens Chemical Detection
Percent of Moths Able to Identify Samples of Crystal
MethamphetaminesUnopened Bag Opened Bag
Able to
Identify
100% 100%
Unable to Identify 0% 0%
100
0
100
00
20
40
60
80
100
Perc
ent of
Mot
hs
Unopened Bag Opened Bag
Percent of Moths Able to Identify Samples of Crystal Methamphetamines
Able to Identify
Unable to Identify
Conclusion
I. The first hypothesis was supported, for when Heliothis virescens
subjects were conditioned in a Pavlovian manner, the moths were
ultimately trained and able to identify chemical compounds
ethylene ether and ammonia. The results were statistically significant, as according to the student’s T-Test,
p<0.001.
ConclusionII. The second hypothesis was
supported, as a carrier was constructed of lightweight PVC pipe,
a small motorized fan, and mesh screen. The experimenter was
easily able to transport the portable moth carrier and efficiently note
moth proboscis protrusion, and the moths were able to identify the
chemicals from inside the container.
ConclusionIII. The third hypothesis was supported,
for when trained Heliothis virescens encountered already blended and
“cooked” methamphetamine samples, the moths were be able to
note the specific chemical compounds ethylene ether and
ammonia amidst the drugs. Every tested moth’s proboscis protruded
in response. The results were significant. (p<0.001)
Future Studies Future studies should include an in-
depth analysis of genetic transfer capabilities of Heliothis virescens.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank:
• Dr. Kevin Daly, Dr. Glen Rains, and Dr. W. Joe Lewis for their invaluable information about associative learning with insects and about the experimentation requirements of which I was unaware.
• Dr. Neil Vickers for donating the supply of Heliothis virescens and for supplying invaluable knowledge about moth care.
• Camden County Sheriff’s DepartmentSheriff Page, Captain Bowling and the Narcotics Department for their help with the field study.
• The people who contributed small parts of the experiment–
The Jones family, for the initial terrarium; Mr. Reeves, for the experimental terrariums, magnifying glass, and space; Mrs. Huskey for the first small battery-powered fan.
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