Context-Dependent Stridulatory Responses ofLeptogenys kitteli(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Social, Prey, and Disturbance Stimuli

Abstract

Individual Leptogenys kitteli (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers produce stridulatory pulses at faster rates after exposure to prey larvae placed nearby the nest and after air-puff disturbances at the nest entrance than during unstimulated social interactions within the nest. Workers produce chirps (trains of stridulatory pulses) at faster rates after exposure to prey larvae than during unstimulated social interactions, including groups of chirps (bursts) where the intervals between chirps decrease below 60 ms. Such bursts do not occur in unstimulated social interactions. Chirp bursts with intervals <10 ms (disturbance bursts) occur immediately after air puffs at the nest entrance. Disturbance bursts are not observed after exposure to prey larvae or during unstimulated social interactions. The rates of disturbance bursts decline rapidly within 10 s after an air puff, whereas episodes of chirp bursts extend over periods of 30 s or longer when groups of ants are moving prey larvae into the nest. The differences in the rates of stridulatory pulses and chirps and in the durations of stridulatory activity observed in the context of different types, intensities, and durations of stimulation contribute to evidence that stridulation has a significant communicatory role in colony activities of many ant species, even in genera, such as Leptogenys, in which a stridulatory organ has not been retained in every species. A better understanding of how ants produce and interpret vibrations may lead to new methods that to improve attractiveness of baits, or repel ants from electrical equipment housings where opportunistic colonies frequently nest.

Ant Pupae Employ Acoustics to Communicate Social Status in Their Colony’s Hierarchy

“…Our results support a growing body of work-facilitated by the increased sophistication of affordable sound equipment-that suggests that acoustical communication plays a greater and more varied role in influencing ant social behavior than was previously thought (e.g., see [7,8,[20][21][22]26]).…”

“…The fact that both types of adult and pupal stridulations triggered the same intensity and range of benevolent responses suggests that the frequency at which pulses of sounds occur is not important for conveying information. It is worth noting, however, that our test environment was simple and constant, and that in nature adult ants are capable of both producing different sounds [22] and reacting in different ways to the same acoustics [23], depending on the context in which the signal is transmitted or received. Furthermore, our acoustics were tested in isolation, whereas in nature they may be modulated by chemical or tactile cues, and vice versa [1,2].…”

Oviposition preference and development of Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on different radiofrequency fields

“…Previous studies have put forward a variety of methods for generating sounds and vibrations in solid materials via transducers producing airborne sounds picked up by the substrate or by directly attached devices in the laboratory, storage, and greenhouse (Chiu et al . ; Mazzoni et al . ; Stölting et al .…”

“…Previous studies have put forward a variety of methods for generating sounds and vibrations in solid materials via transducers producing airborne sounds picked up by the substrate or by directly attached devices in the laboratory, storage, and greenhouse (Chiu et al 2011;Mazzoni et al 2009;Stölting et al 2002;Zgonik & Cokl 2014). This radiofrequency technology might be applicable in the greenhouses and storages, creating sound and vibration by simply installing portable loudspeakers at optimum interval and space.…”

Use of acoustics to deter bark beetles from entering tree material

“…However, the best method for tree protection against bark beetles is to reduce entry into trees, thus reducing potential tree death from girdling and microbial infection during beetle colonization. The application of sound into plants has previously been limited to the use of vibrations in disrupting Hemiptera associated with crops or termites and ants in wood materials …”