The Importance of Song and Vibratory Signals in the Behaviour of the Bushcricket Ephippiger ephippiger Fiebig (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae): Taxis by Females

Investigations on the locomotor behaviour of females of the bushcricket Ephippiger ephippiger were carried out. Their behaviour was observed on a multibranched plant in the laboratory while both conspecific song and a simultaneously transmitted vibratory signal were applied to the plant. As soon as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 1989-01, Vol.80 (1), p.142-144
Main Authors: Oliver Stiedl, Kalmring, Klaus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal communication
Animal ethology
Biological and medical sciences
Female animals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insect behavior
Insect communication
Insect vectors
Male animals
Mating behavior
Orthoptera
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Short Communications
Signals
Sound
Tettigoniidae
Vibration
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Summary:Investigations on the locomotor behaviour of females of the bushcricket Ephippiger ephippiger were carried out. Their behaviour was observed on a multibranched plant in the laboratory while both conspecific song and a simultaneously transmitted vibratory signal were applied to the plant. As soon as the insects reached a certain level in the bush the acoustic stimulus was switched off and only vibratory cues (tremulation) remained. Observations were then made of females using these vibratory signals to orientate towards the source of the vibratory signals (artificial male). The females were attracted at short distance (58 cm) only. At a longer distance (105 cm) the insects did not show definite vibrotaxis. A comparison which was made to an experiment with conspecific song and simultaneously transmitted vibration revealed that females were much more attracted by these combined stimuli. Here the females made a lower number of interruptions and reached the emitter faster than if stimulated with tremulation alone.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/BF00789945