Substrate vibrations during acoustic signalling in the cicada Okanagana rimosa

TitleSubstrate vibrations during acoustic signalling in the cicada Okanagana rimosa
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsStölting H, Moore TE, Lakes-Harlan R
JournalJournal of Insect Science
Volume2
Pagination1-7
KeywordsWOOD
Abstract

Males of the North American cicada Okanagana rimosa (Homoptera: Cicadidae, Tibicininae) emit loud airborne acoustic signals for intraspecific communication. Specialised vibratory signals could not be detected; however, the airborne signal induced substrate vibrations. Both auditory and vibratory spectra peak in the range from 7-10 kHz. Thus, the vibrations show similar frequency components to the sound spectrum within biologically relevant distances. These vibratory signals could be important as signals involved in mate localization and perhaps even as the context for the evolution of the ear in a group of parasitoid flies.