Although animals including humans are near-optimal foragers (Charnov 1974), interindividual differences in foraging strategies exist and have been associated with differences in internal states like stress and anxiety (Yonce et al.2021, Lenow et al., 2017). However, the underlying neural mechanisms relating anxiety with suboptimal foraging are yet unclear. We hypothesized that trait anxiety may impact stress neuromodulators like cortisol and norepinephrine which may in turn affect foraging.Method:To this end, we collected data from 55 participants who played the virtual patch foraging game (Barack et al, 2023). EEG and pupil dilation were recorded. Saliva samples were collected once before and once after gameplay. Self-reported survey (STAI-Y2) was used to assess trait anxiety.Aims:In particular, we asked whether:Foraging affects pupil dilation.Trait anxiety affects pupil dilation while foraging.Effects of trait anxiety on foraging are mediated via norepinephrine and cortisolResult:Foraging affected pupil dilation: tonic pupil size displayed an inverted U shape during patch stay. Further, travel time, a proxy for global reward, reduced pupil size (LMM: -1.033e-02 +/- 5.894e-03 p=< 0.079)Trait anxiety interacted with cumulative reward to reduce tonic pupil size (LMM:1.415e-02 +/- 6.455e-03 p=< 0.0284).Cortisol and norepinephrine moderate the effects of trait anxiety on foraging decisions (cortisol: 0.10 +/- 0.01, p=<0.001; NE: 0.15 +/- 0.02, p=<0.001).ConclusionTrait anxiety accentuates patch leaving which is reflected in pupil dilation. To better understand the underlying mechanisms, we are currently analyzing EEG signals.