Assessment of movement patterns in Folsomia candida (Hexapoda: Collembola) in the presence of food

24 25 We showed that Folsomia candida (a blind soil-dwelling Collembola) was able to shift from 26 non-directional (random or search strategy) to directional (target-oriented) movements at short 27 distance of food. We measured departure from linearity and access (or not) to food by the springtail 28 according to distance to the target position. Video-records and image analysis were used to obtain 29 numerical data at 0.2 sec interval. The probability of food capture within 10 min (maximum duration 30 of the experiment) was negatively related to distance. Two patterns can be observed along successful 31 trajectories in our experimental conditions (22°C, ambient light, still air), non-directional movement 32 being followed by directional movement when the animals approach food at 25 mm. 33 34