Crickets say NO to fight or flight

Abstract

Behavioral Neuroscience In crickets, to flee or not to flee is a life-and-death decision weighed on the scales of nitric oxide (NO) signaling. Stevenson and Rillich found that the making of this critical decision in the heat of battle sums the impact of the opponent's attacks. At a threshold level, the NO signaling pathway is activated. This depresses aggression and promotes flight of the loser from the scene. Activation of the NO pathway has an aftermath. Losers avoid further battles, at least for a time. Sci. Adv. 10.1126/sciadv.150060 (2015).