House flies, Musca domestica L., were given a choice of either an electrostatic field gradient ranging from 200–1500 v/cm or no field. They preferred no electrical field to one of 1000 v/cm or higher. At 750 v/cm slightly, but significantly, more flies preferred the electrostatic field. At less than 500 v/cm no preference was observed. A significant effect on wingbeat frequency among male cabbage loopers, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), was observed for electrostatic field gradients ranging from 200–1500 v/cm. There was so significant effect among females. The change in wingbeat of males in response to the fields was inconsistent. Among females the wingbeat tended to decrease.
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Perumpral et al. (1978) studied this question.
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