In 2001, Mormon crickets caused an estimated $25 million damage to crops in Utah alone. Outbreaks occur in 16 western states and three Canadian Provinces. Conventionally, chemicals are used to control outbreaks; however, biological control is gaining popularity. In an effort to develop an additional non-chemical management strategy, bioacoustics of Mormon crickets was analyzed. Male Mormon crickets produce a variety of songs including the “calling,” “courting,” and “aggression” songs. Mormon crickets respond to the “aggression” song by dispersing from apparent danger. In this study, an eight track digital recorder, Protools Digidesign and Matlab processing software were used to record and analyze the “aggression” song. These acoustical signals may be useful in interrupting behavior and possibly reproduction. They may also be useful as barriers and herding devices. In addition to the bioacoustics analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate morphological variations of the forewings in males and females. SEM results demonstrate major forewing variation between genders. Consistent with traditional Orthopteran morphology, male forewings overlap and include a file and scraper, whereas female forewings scarcely touch and lack these two sound producing structures.
Species 1: Orthoptera Tettigoniidae Anabrus simplex (Mormon cricket)
Keywords: bioacoustics, morphology
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