Insect visual perception: complex abilities of simple nervous systems

Despite their relatively simple nervous systems, insects display a rich behavioural repertoire, in which vision plays a major role. In the past two years, much knowledge has been gained about how insects are capable of a variety of flexible, visually guided tasks that involve a high level of complexity. From long-range navigation to median-range orientation and close-up recognition, insects apply different strategies that complement each other, that are used sequentially during their approach flight towards their goals, and that may replace each other, depending on the salience of, and the attention towards, particular visual cues.