Ultrasonic mate calling in the lesser wax moth

Spangler, Hayward G.; Greenfield, Michael D.; Takessian, Alex

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1984.tb00684.x

Cited by 136 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A 100-kHz (pure tone sine wave) sound stimulus was generated from an Agilent 33220A 20 MHz Function Waveform Generator, passed through a Brandenburg 475R Photomultiplier Power Supply, and broadcast from a custom-built wide-band air-coupled electrostatic transducer (54) situated 30 cm to the side of the moth. Previous studies showed that A. grisella females move toward pure tone pulses generated from a wide range of ultrasound frequencies (14) and that pulsed or continuous pure tone sound at these frequencies elicits a certain level of tympanum response; this response only varies ±2 dB for stimuli of a fixed intensity ranging from 80 to 100 kHz and ±6 dB for from 40 to 100 kHz (20). We chose 100 kHz for our sound stimulus, because it is the dominant frequency in male song among the A. grisella population tested, and it is also the frequency that elicits maximum tympanum responses (20).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evolution of directional hearing in moths via conversion of bat detection devices to asymmetric pressure gradient receivers

Reid

Marin-Cudraz

Windmill

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Small animals typically localize sound sources by means of complex internal connections and baffles that effectively increase time or intensity differences between the two ears. However, some miniature acoustic species achieve directional hearing without such devices, indicating that other mechanisms have evolved. Using 3D laser vibrometry to measure tympanum deflection, we show that female lesser waxmoths (Achroia grisella) can orient toward the 100-kHz male song, because each ear functions independently as an asymmetric pressure gradient receiver that responds sharply to high-frequency sound arriving from an azimuth angle 30°contralat-eral to the animal's midline. We found that females presented with a song stimulus while running on a locomotion compensation sphere follow a trajectory 20°-40°to the left or right of the stimulus heading but not directly toward it, movement consistent with the tympanum deflections and suggestive of a monaural mechanism of auditory tracking. Moreover, females losing their track typically regain it by auditory scanning-sudden, wide deviations in their heading-and females initially facing away from the stimulus quickly change their general heading toward it, orientation indicating superior ability to resolve the front-rear ambiguity in source location. X-ray computer-aided tomography (CT) scans of the moths did not reveal any internal coupling between the two ears, confirming that an acoustic insect can localize a sound source based solely on the distinct features of each ear.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…alternative means by which small animals might achieve directional hearing (14). Adult body lengths of males and females average 8.5 and 11.5 mm, respectively, and the two tympana, situated ventrally on the first abdominal segment, face in nearly the same direction and are separated by <600 μm (Fig.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of directional hearing in moths via conversion of bat detection devices to asymmetric pressure gradient receivers

Reid

Marin-Cudraz

Windmill

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…6 that produce ultrasonic signals (Roeder 1962(Roeder , 1964Agee 1969). However, ultrasonic communication in many insect species (including pyralids and noctuids) is very important in courtship behaviors, leading ultimately to mate attractance and reproduction (Spangler et al 1984, Surlykke & Gogala 1986.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studies of the Neural Basis of Evasive Flight Behavior in Response to Acoustic Stimulation in Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Organization of the Tympanic Nerves

Agee

Orona

1988

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

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The organization of the tympanic nerve within the thoracic ganglia of Heliothis zea (Boddie) was investigated. Cobalt chloride infiltration of cut axons was used to investigate the central terminations of the tympanic nerves. The axonal terminals of the A2 acoustic cell were confined to the meso-metathoracic ganglia, whereas the Al acoustic and the nonacoustic B cell were found in the thoracic ganglia. The relevance of this organization for neural circuitry of evasive flight behavior to acoustic stimulation is discussed.KEY WORDS Insecta, auditory processing, noctuid moths, neural circuits THE AUDITORY SYSTEM of. noctuid moths is especially amenable to experimental investigations because of its inherent simplicity and accessibility. Therefore, it serves well as a model system for understanding sensory processing in general, and particularly for studying the neural basis of evasive flight behaviors in insects. Each ear has only a single pair of acoustic cells, the Al and A2 cells, as well as a nonacoustic B cell. The acoustic cells are especially sensitive to ultrasound (10-100 kHz) and have response spectra nearly identical, except that the Al cell is about 20 dB more sensitive to sound pressure level at threshold (Agee 1967, Roeder 1975, Surlykke & Miller 1982. Our recent research at this laboratory has focused on the neural circuitry within the central nervous system (CNS) of the noctuid moth Heliothis zea (Boddie), known commonly as the corn ear worm or bollworm moth (Agee 1985, Orona & Agee 1988.The objective of this research on the auditory system was to understand better the axonal terminations and neural circuits of the acoustic nerves, so that areas within the ganglia of potential synaptic interaction with motoneurons could be identified. Understanding the neural coding within a simple sensory system should reveal general principles applicable to more complex systems. Our objective is to discover and understand the circuitry from the sensory inputs to the motoneurons that generate evasive flight behaviors, as has been attempted for the organization of auditory and motor circuits in locusts (Kien & Altman 1984, Boyan Mention of a commercial or proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the USDA. Materials and MethodsAdult male and female H. zea (3-4 d old) were reared in this laboratory. Tympanic nerves were infiltrated with a variation of the procedure of Tyrer & Altman (1974). The thoracic ganglia were exposed by dissecting from the venter. They were immersed in vivo in a drop of Carlson's saline until the ganglia and nerves were dissected free. Careful dissection allowed access to the penultimate branch of nerve IIINIB (nomenclature of Eaton 1974), which includes the acoustic nerves and those bearing motoneurons to some of the dorsal longitudinal muscles. Nerve trunks to be filled were left at their maximal lengths, and all others were cut proximal to the ganglia.Cobalt infiltration was performed in vitro on nerve IIINIB. Occasionally, we could infiltrate either of the two ...

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“…Male A. grisella attract females with a calling song that consists of a continuous train of ultrasonic pulses (Spangler et al, 1984). The males produce their song for 6-10h each night until death while remaining stationary on the substrate and fanning their wings at 35-50 cycles per second (measured at 25°C).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of amplitude in male song: female waxmoths respond to fortissimo notes

Limousin

Greenfield

2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYFemale evaluation of male signals in the context of sexual selection is often made on the basis of signal energy. Particularly in acoustic species, females may prefer male song that is broadcast at greater amplitude or power. However, song amplitude may be represented by various parameters, and the specific one(s) that are evaluated are not clear. We addressed this problem in an acoustic moth, Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), where males attract females with trains of paired ultrasonic pulses. Previous studies showed that females prefer songs that include pulse pairs that have greater mean peak amplitude and that are delivered with greater power (mean peak amplitudeϫpulse-pair rate). Here, we report that given male songs of equal acoustic power, females prefer songs in which some pulses attain peak amplitudes that exceed the mean value and that this preference depends largely on the magnitude of amplitude fluctuation. We measured significant variation among males in their degree of amplitude fluctuation, and we note that males that broadcast with lower acoustic power typically show greater relative fluctuations and attain relatively higher amplitude maxima. We discuss the potential role of multiple integration time constants in female evaluation of mean song amplitude and amplitude maxima. We then consider the possibility that the variation observed in the male population is a response to female choice, but we also indicate that mechanical factors constraining song production may be responsible for such variation.

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Ultrasonic mate calling in the lesser wax moth

Cited by 136 publications

References 14 publications

Evolution of directional hearing in moths via conversion of bat detection devices to asymmetric pressure gradient receivers

Evolution of directional hearing in moths via conversion of bat detection devices to asymmetric pressure gradient receivers

Studies of the Neural Basis of Evasive Flight Behavior in Response to Acoustic Stimulation in Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Organization of the Tympanic Nerves

Evaluation of amplitude in male song: female waxmoths respond to fortissimo notes

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