EN
Summary The paper provides a review of literature data concerning effects of illumination conditions and visual stimulation on behaviour and physiological state of various insects. It is focused on behavioural modifications and permanent structural changes in the visual system and in the central nervous system, induced as a result of exposition to specific illumination conditions during the sensitive phase occurring in the first few days of imaginal life (in the case of holometabolous insects), or during the first few days after eclosion from an egg (in the case of hemimetabolous insects). There are presented also some data on transitory, reversible effects of illumination conditions on behaviour and physiological state of insects, such as habituation and various forms of sensory adaptation.