The authors described in the article selective response of the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi that eavesdrop on vibratory signals of adult stink bugs. The parasitoids showed selective preference for Eushistus heros female songs when compared with songs of other stink bug species. In the article the authors discuss the ecological signbificance of the use of vibratory signals and interactions with other (chemical) cues during the host searching behaviour of T. podisi.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2445135
The authors described morphology and function of different types of ascending interneurons in the ventral cord of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula, sensitive to vibration. The mean spike rate response arrays showed preference of the neurons for short pulse duration and no selectivity towards interval duration. On the other hand the peak spike rate response arrays exhibited either short pulse duration/long interval duration or no selectivity at all. In some neurons the responses elicited by the vibratory stimuli were followed by distinct, regular oscillations of the membrane potential that matched the temporal structure of the male calling song.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2450767
The authors demonstrated by the use of the molecular diagnostic technique, that spiders exploit vibrational signals emitted by their prey sexual communication with substrate-borne sound signals. First the authors developed and characterized PCR primers specific for leafhoppers of the genus Aphrodes and specifically for Aphrodes makarovi. PCR analyzed gut content of the spider Enoplognatha ovata showed that they consume leafhoppers in the field at a greater rate when signalling adults were present than when nymphs were dominant. Their results suggest that this mechanism for prey location is widespread and may be a major unrecognized driver of evolution in both predator and prey.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2349903