Eloise Rowland, Paul W. Schaefer, Peter Belton, Gerhard Gries, 2011.
Evidence for short-range sonic communication in lymantriine moths.
Journal of Insect Physiology 57(2), 292-299.
Abstract: Sexual communication of nun moth, Lymantria monacha (L),
pink gypsy moth, Lymantria mathura Moore, and fumida tussock moth,
Lymantria fumida Butler (all Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Lymantriinae),
is known to be mediated by pheromones. We now show that males are
attracted by the sounds of conspecific females over short distances
and that wing fanning male and female L. monacha, L. mathura and
L. fumida produce species- and sex-specific wing beat and associated
click sounds that could contribute to reproductive isolation. Evidence
for short-range communication in these lymantriines includes
(i) scanning electron micrographs revealing metathoracic tympanate
ears, (ii) laser interferometry showing particular sensitivity of
tympana tuned to frequency components of sound signals from conspecifics,
and (iii) phonotaxis of male L. monacha and L. fumida to speakers
playing back sound signals from conspecific females. We conclude that
tympanate ears of these moths have evolved in response not only to bat
predation, but also for short-range mate finding and possibly recognition.
(C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
LINK:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T3F-51JXFSV-1&_user=955653&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F2011&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000049301&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=955653&md5=14661eec0c1bff6d30ca2086b1842514&searchtype=a
Kind regards
Eloise
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Eloise Rowland, MSc
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia
Canada
V5A 1S6
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