Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2008) 129, 124-131

Rosanna Wijenberg, Stephen Takács, Melissa Cook and Gerhard Gries (2008)
Female German cockroaches join conspecific groups based on the incidence of auditory cues
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 129 (2), 124-131
Abstract: Insects deciding whether to approach and join a group of conspecifics may utilize olfactory and auditory signals, or cues, from that group as indicators of its size or the suitability of its shelter. Here we show (1) that German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L. (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), in groups wing-fan; (2) that the incidence of wing-fanning (WF) increases proportionately to group size; and (3) that gravid females utilize auditory cues associated with WF behaviour when they decide whether or not to enter a shelter. In binary choice arena bioassays, proportionately more gravid females avoided shelters associated with play-back of high-incidence male- or female-produced WF sound, indicating a high-density group of conspecifics, but sought shelters associated with play-back of low-incidence WF sound, indicating a low-density group of conspecifics. These auditory cues seem to convey information on group size or density, avoid sensory fatigue in enclosed environments, and allow sonotactic orientation to the group's location.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gerhard Gries

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Blattella germanica