Bark beetles use a spring-loaded mechanism to produce variable song patterns

Lindeman, Amanda A.; Yack, Jayne E.

doi:10.1242/jeb.190660

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The variation of the number of notes in the call is possible due to the abdominal stretch-and-release mechanism (Lindeman and Yack 2019). In D. adjunctus, note length and note duration become shorter as the number of notes in the call increases, which coincides with the spring-loaded description of the elytro-tergal stridulatory movement reported by Lindeman and Yack (2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…Regarding intra-specific variation, the existence of several acoustic morphotypes has been reported previously in some bark and ambrosia beetle species (Fleming et al 2013;Lindeman and Yack 2015). The variation of the number of notes in the call is possible due to the abdominal stretch-and-release mechanism (Lindeman and Yack 2019). In D. adjunctus, note length and note duration become shorter as the number of notes in the call increases, which coincides with the spring-loaded description of the elytro-tergal stridulatory movement reported by Lindeman and Yack (2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…Another factor expected to contribute to interspecific variability in bark and ambrosia beetle stridulations is morphology. Despite having a simplistic sound production mechanism (Lindeman and Yack 2019), species that share the same type of elytro-tergal organ will produce distinctive sounds due to differences in the spacing of teeth in the pars stridens, size of the plectrum, shape of the elytra, and speed of the ventral movement. These morphological differences contribute to small interspecific differences in the estimated acoustic features that become more evident when all features are combined and analysed in multidimensional space.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sound production in bark and ambrosia beetles

et al. 2019

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Bark and ambrosia beetles and pinhole borers (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) are two subfamilies of weevils that use acoustic communication within plant tissue. These insects transmit and detect sound in a medium that is neither air nor water and they are among the smallest animals with sound-producing organs. Nevertheless, their sound production is sorely understudied, mostly due to the difficulties associated with acoustically monitoring individuals inside plants. We analysed the stridulatory sounds from 55 bark and ambrosia beetle species within 15 subtribes collected in four countries, making this the largest acoustic dataset of these taxa to date. We characterized and compared the amplitude and spectro-temporal parameters of the distress airborne signals produced by the beetles, in conjunction with phenology and life history data. Sound production was present in 33% of the collected species, of which 60% of these sounds had not been previously reported. Depending on species, either both sexes stridulated or only one. Some species had calls with different acoustic morphotypes (one, two, or three notes), and when both sexes stridulated, sounds generally differed. Our data suggest that type of mating system and size play an important role in determining the acoustic communicatory capacity of most species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sound production in bark and ambrosia beetles

et al. 2019

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“…For example, in the elytro-femoral type of stridulatory device of the weevil Erodiscus proximus (Viana), the elytral ‘file’ constitutes a set of grooved tubercles located on the external elytral side near the lateral margin [ 109 ]. By contrast, in bark beetles of the genus Dendroctonus (Erichson), the pars stridens of an elytro-tergal stridulatory organ is formed by numerous ridges located on the ventral side of the posterior elytral margin [ 110 ].…”

Section: Functions Of Elytramentioning

confidence: 99%

Beetle elytra: evolution, modifications and biological functions

Goczał

Beutel

2023

Biol. Lett.

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Conversion of forewings into hardened covers, elytra, was a ground-breaking morphological adaptation that has contributed to the extraordinary evolutionary success of beetles. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the functional aspects of these structures is still fragmentary and scattered across a large number of studies. Here, we have synthesized the presently available information on the evolution, development, modifications and biological functions of this crucial evolutionary novelty. The formation of elytra took place in the earliest evolution of Coleoptera, very likely already in the Carboniferous, and was achieved through the gradual process of progressive forewing sclerotization and the formation of inward directed epipleura and a secluded sub-elytral space. In many lineages of modern beetles, the elytra have been distinctly modified. This includes multiple surface modifications, a rigid connection or fusion of the elytra, or partial or complete reduction. Beetle elytra can be involved in a very broad spectrum of functions: mechanical protection of hind wings and body, anti-predator strategies, thermoregulation and water saving, water harvesting, flight, hind wing folding, diving and swimming, self-cleaning and burrow cleaning, phoresy of symbiotic organisms, mating and courtship, and acoustic communication. We postulate that the potential of the elytra to take over multiple tasks has enormously contributed to the unparalleled diversification of beetles.

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“…In particular, the ability to manipulate potential energy and kinetic energy is exemplified in elastic mechanisms (Alexander, 1988;Alexander and Bennet-Clark, 1977;Biewener and Patek, 2018;Vogel, 2009). In the past century, hundreds of Journal of Experimental Biology articles have revealed diverse movements that use elastic mechanisms, including: cyclic, efficient locomotion in hopping wallabies, running dogs and flying insects (Biewener and Baudinette, 1995;Ellington, 1985;Gregersen et al, 1998); power-enhanced locomotion in jumping frogs, humans and insects (Bennet-Clark and Lucey, 1967;Farley et al, 2019;Farris et al, 2016;Mendoza and Azizi, 2021); reduction of damage in landing animals and colliding insect wings (Dick et al, 2021;Mountcastle and Combes, 2014); and sound production and reception in buzzing cicadas, singing bark beetles, rasping spiny lobsters and listening salamanders (Lindeman and Yack, 2019;Patek, 2002;Pringle, 1954;Smith, 1968).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA): the power of integrated biomechanical systems

Patek

2023

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Across the tree of life – from fungi to frogs – organisms wield small amounts of energy to generate fast and potent movements. These movements are propelled with elastic structures, and their loading and release are mediated by latch-like opposing forces. They comprise a class of elastic mechanisms termed latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA). Energy flow through LaMSA begins when an energy source loads elastic element(s) in the form of elastic potential energy. Opposing forces, often termed latches, prevent movement during loading of elastic potential energy. As the opposing forces are shifted, reduced or removed, elastic potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy of the spring and propelled mass. Removal of the opposing forces can occur instantaneously or throughout the movement, resulting in dramatically different outcomes for consistency and control of the movement. Structures used for storing elastic potential energy are often distinct from mechanisms that propel the mass: elastic potential energy is often distributed across surfaces and then transformed into localized mechanisms for propulsion. Organisms have evolved cascading springs and opposing forces not only to serially reduce the duration of energy release, but often to localize the most energy-dense events outside of the body to sustain use without self-destruction. Principles of energy flow and control in LaMSA biomechanical systems are emerging at a rapid pace. New discoveries are catalyzing remarkable growth of the historic field of elastic mechanisms through experimental biomechanics, synthesis of novel materials and structures, and high-performance robotics systems.

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Bark beetles use a spring-loaded mechanism to produce variable song patterns

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Sound production in bark and ambrosia beetles

Sound production in bark and ambrosia beetles

Beetle elytra: evolution, modifications and biological functions

Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA): the power of integrated biomechanical systems

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