Drosophila melanogaster startle responses to light-off stimuli

We present a new method for investigating the light-off startle responses of wild type Drosophila melanogaster using the automated Zantiks MWP unit. The built-in, live video-tracking measures both distance travelled and pixel change between frames for 24 flies after light-off stimuli, whilst providing video-recordings of each startle. In a series of experiments, we characterised the startle response, assessing the effect of light-off time. The light-off stimuli were implemented using 530nm green LEDs in a light-tight experimental chamber. Using the light-off procedure most conducive to startling, flies were then exposed to light-off trials consecutively. We found evidence for habituation and pre-pulse inhibition of the startle response. Here we demonstrate the capability of this highly automated, high throughput method to streamline behavioural research on Drosophila, using a replicable, controlled, experimental environment. In particular, this method holds great potential for use in genetic manipulation and knock-out studies.