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Cornell University Department of Entomology

Cole Gilbert


Cole Gilbert

Associate Professor

University of Kansas, 1986
Insect Behavior; insect physiology

6136 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: 607.255.8152
Fax: 607.255.0939
Email: cg23@cornell.edu

Table of Contents

Professional Overview and Objectives

The goal of my research is to understand the current physiological function and evolutionary history of sensori-motor coordination used in visually-guided behavior by employing behavioral, kinematic, electrophysiological, neuroanatomical and computational modeling approaches. This research has two major thrusts: terrestrial (2D) pursuit of prey by tiger beetles and aerial (3D) chases of mates by male muscoid flies. Both systems suffer from a similar problem, namely relative motion of the observer and target degrades the visual contrast of the target, which adversely influences the neural input signal to the observer’s guidance system. Our current focus in the 2D project is to understand how regional differentiation of spatiotemporal properties of the retina may be adaptively tuned to reduce the adverse effects of contrast degradation. Such problems afflict all moving creatures, but have yet to be investigated physiologically in any species. Our current focus in the 3D system is on the evolution of a proprioceptive sense organ in the neck that monitors head posture, and thus, direction of gaze in flies, order Diptera. We have documented that this organ arose de novo in the higher Nematocera and are studying its function in primitive flies and its development in higher flies to address how new sense organs can arise in lineages. Current evolutionary models all require modification, and hence loss, of a preexisting organ, which is not the case in this system. In addition to my research, I teach two courses in the entomology core curriculum, Insect Biology and Insect Physiology. Insect Biology employs lectures combined with a laboratory requirement for an insect collection that emphasizes field work and use of a teaching collection. This course is a prerequisite for all upper level courses, so I expect students to acquire a broad background in entomology, including insect systematics, ecology, behavior, physiology, and applied topics. Insect Physiology uses lectures and a hands-on laboratory in which students work in pairs using modern equipment to examine functions of each organ system. Students leave this course with a good grasp of general physiological concepts, as well as some methodological skills appropriate for investigating insects.

Education

 Year  Degree  Institution
 1986  Ph.D.  University of Kansas
 1981  M.S.  University of Kansas
 1976  B.A.  Washington University
 

Academic Ranks

Associate Professor: 1999
Assistant Professor: 1992

Areas of Expertise

Neuroethology, Insect Physiology, Sensori-motor coordination, Evolution of sensory systems, General entomology

Courses Taught

ENT 4830 Insect Physiology
ENT 6620 Insect Behavior
ENT 6850 Seminar in Insect Physiology

Publications

Refereed

Gilbert, C. and M.P. Kim. 2007. Effects of male age and cervical proprioceptors on sexual aerial pursuit by male flesh flies, Neobellieria bullata (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Jour. Insect Behavior, 20:427-435.

Gilbert, C. 2007. Hypercomplex cells in the arthropod visual system. Curr. Biol. 17: 412-414.

Layne, J., P.W. Chen, and C. Gilbert. 2006. The role of target elevation in prey selection by tiger beetles (Carabidae: Cicindela spp.). J. Exp. Biol. 209:4295-4303.

Krans, J., C. Gilbert, and R. Hoy, 2006. Teaching insect retinal physiology with newly designed, inexpensive micromanipulators. Adv. Physiol. Educ. 30:254-261.

Paulk, A.C. and C. Gilbert. 2006. Proprioceptive encoding of head position in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Stratiomyidae). J. Exp. Biol. 209:3913-3924.

Gilbert C. and C. Klass. 2006. Decrease in geographic range of the Finger Lakes Brood (Brood VII) of the periodical cicada (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada spp.). Jour. New York Entomol. Soc. 114(1-2):78-85.

Gilbert, C. and E. Bauer, 1998.  Resistance reflex that maintains upright head posture in the fleshfly Neobellieriabullata  (Sarcophagidae). Jour. Exp. Biol. 201: 2735-2744.

Gilbert, C. 1997. Visual control of cursorial prey pursuit by tiger beetles (Cicindelidae). Jour. Comp. Physiol. A 181:217-230.

Gilbert, C. and R.S. Edgecomb, 1996.  Description of a prosternal sensory organ in a wood gnat (Diptera: Anisopodidae).  J. KS. Entomol. Soc. 69: 61-66.

Abebe Leta, M., C. Gilbert, and R. Morse, 1996. Levels of haemolymph sugars and body glycogen of honeybees(Apis mellifera L.) from colonies preparing to swarm. J. Insect Physiol. 42: 239-245.

Non-Refereed

Rayor, L.S. and Gilbert, C. 2007. Common Spiders of New York. New York Conservationist, 61(6): 15-18.

Gilbert, C. 2006. You gotta have heart(s). The Ithaca Journal, 18 January, p10A

Gilbert, C. 1999.  Book review of "Neurons, Networks, and Motor Behavior".  (Eds) P.S.G. Stein, S. Grillner, A.I. Selverston, D.G. Stuart. 1997. BioScience,  49 (2): 156-158.