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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