Multisensory interactions regulate feeding behavior in Drosophila

Many studies show how a single sensory cue contributes to behaviors. To better understand external environments, however, animals use multisensory integration, referring to the enhancement of response induced by single sensory cue due to concurrent inputs from other sensory modalities. We show the proboscis extension reflex (PER), a proxy for food preference, is accomplished via multisensory integration in Drosophila. The taste-evoked PER is significantly enhanced by concurrent inputs of food odor and texture. Controlled delivery of three different sensory cues proves the simultaneous activation of three distinct sensory modalities produces a supraadditive PER. Our work shows flies employ an efficient way to find and ingest foods when the taste of the food alone is insufficient to stimulate feeding.