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Wind-induced noise alters signaler and receiver behavior in vibrational communication

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Abstract

Noise that masks communication signals can affect the evolution of signal form and decisions about when and where to communicate. For the many invertebrates that communicate using plant-borne vibrations, wind is considered to be the major source of environmental noise. However, the influence of wind-induced vibrations on signaling behavior has not been experimentally tested. We tested the hypothesis that wind-induced noise influences signaling behavior in a plant-feeding insect (the treehopper, Enchenopa binotata ‘Ptelea’) in which mating is preceded by a vibrational duet between females and mate-searching males. We first characterized the diel signaling patterns of males in the field to identify the wind conditions under which signaling typically takes place. We then experimentally tested two predictions of the hypothesis: (1) that males use gap detection to initiate signaling during relatively wind-free periods; and (2) that females respond less to signals given in the presence of wind-induced vibrations. Both predictions were met, indicating that wind-induced noise is an important influence on the behavior of insects that use plant-borne vibrations.

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Acknowledgements

We thank C. Galen, C. Gerhardt, R. Houseman, J. Schul, and three anonymous reviewers for comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by NSF IBN 0318326 to RBC and NSF DDIG IOB 0508642 to RBC and GDM.

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  1. Gabriel D. McNett

    Present address: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Westminster College, 501 Westminster Avenue, Fulton, MO, 65251, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 105 Tucker Hall University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Gabriel D. McNett, Lucia H. Luan & Reginald B. Cocroft

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  1. Gabriel D. McNett
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  2. Lucia H. Luan
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  3. Reginald B. Cocroft
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Correspondence to Gabriel D. McNett.

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Communicated by D. Gwynne

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McNett, G.D., Luan, L.H. & Cocroft, R.B. Wind-induced noise alters signaler and receiver behavior in vibrational communication. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 64, 2043–2051 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-010-1018-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-010-1018-9

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