© 1972 by The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
Retention of Learning through Metamorphosis in the Grain Beetle Tenebrio molitor)
Erindale College, University of Toronto Mississanga, Ontario, Canada
Two groups of 15 larve were trained to go consistently to one side of a T-maze, using escape from light as a reinforcer for correct performance. Two yoked control groups received non-response contingent reinforcement on trials when individuals in the experimental groups were reinforced. A third control group received non-response contingent reinforcement on every trial, and a fourth control group was left untrained. After metamorphosis, one experimental group was trained to turn in the same direction as in original learning (relearning), while the other experimental group was named to turn in the opposite direction (rexersal learning). All the control groups were also trained as adults. In the experimental groups, relearning occurred significanty faster and reversal learning occurred significantly slower than learning in any of the control conditions. These findings are interpreted as provinding evidence of retention of leirning through metamorphosis.