Inside the 'swat team' -- how insects react to virtual reality gaming

Humans get a real buzz from the virtual world of gaming and augmented reality but now scientists have trialled the use of these new-age technologies on small animals, to test the reactions of tiny hoverflies and even crabs.

In a bid to comprehend the aerodynamic powers of flying insects and other little-understood animal behaviours, the Flinders University-led study is gaining new perspectives on how invertebrates respond to, interact with and navigate virtual 'worlds' created by advanced entertainment technology.

Published in the journal of Methods of Ecology and Evolution, the new gaming software was developed by experts at Flinders University working with coauthor Professor Karin Nordström, who leads the Hoverfly Motion Vision Lab at Flinders University, and experts from Western Australia and Germany.

The novel study aims to augment ongoing research into new technologies, including aviation and other precision devices, and provides researchers around the world with access to the specially ...