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Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System
Published on: March 29, 2011
Evidence for short-range sonic communication in lymantriine moths
E Rowland1, P W Schaefer, P Belton
1Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of Insect Physiology
|December 1, 2010
Summary
Moth species Lymantria monacha, L. mathura, and L. fumida use species-specific sounds for short-range communication. Males are attracted to female moth sounds, suggesting a role in mating and reproductive isolation.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Bioacoustics
- Animal Communication
Background:
- Sexual communication in Lymantriinae moths (Lymantria monacha, L. mathura, L. fumida) is primarily mediated by pheromones.
- Previous research focused on chemical signals, leaving auditory communication pathways unexplored in these species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of acoustic signals in the sexual communication of Lymantria moths.
- To determine if sound production and reception contribute to reproductive isolation in Lymantriinae moths.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy to identify auditory organs (metathoracic tympanate ears).
- Laser interferometry to assess tympanal sensitivity to sound frequencies.
- Phonotaxis experiments using playback of conspecific female sounds to male moths.
Main Results:
- Males of Lymantria monacha and Lymantria fumida exhibited phonotaxis towards female-produced sounds.
- Species- and sex-specific wing beat and click sounds were identified in L. monacha, L. mathura, and L. fumida.
- Tympanate ears in these moths showed sensitivity tuned to conspecific sound frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Auditory communication plays a significant role in short-range mate finding for Lymantriinae moths.
- Acoustic signals likely contribute to reproductive isolation by facilitating species and sex recognition.
- The evolution of tympanate ears in these moths serves dual functions: predator detection and mate localization.
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