Species-recognition in the field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus: behavioral and neural mechanisms

SYNOPSIS. Field crickets depend on acoustic organs to detect the presence of potential predators as well as conspecific crickets. Predators are recognized largely on the basis of spectral frequencies that are contained in their acoustic signals. Puffs of air and very low frequencies activate a cricket's cereal receptors and ultrasonic frequencies activate their tympanal organs. Both of these acoustic stimuli release “escape behavior,” in the form of evasive movements. An identified neuron sensitive to ultrasound is described. Crickets recognize singing conspecifics by both frequency and temporal properties of cricket songs; however species recognition requires specific temporal information in calling songs. While previous studies have emphasized the role of songs on female behavior, males also recognize conspecific songs; sexual differences in recognition behavior occur.