The importance of song and vibratory signals in the behaviour of the bushcricketEphippiger ephippiger Fiebig (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae): taxis by females.

Investigations on the locomotor behaviour of females of the bushcricketEphippiger 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.