Weather-dependent microhabitat use by Tetrix tenuicornis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

Musiolek, David; Kočárek, Petr

doi:10.1007/s00114-016-1393-9

Cited by 9 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Nonetheless, comparing our findings to other ecological studies of pygmy grasshoppers also revealed that association with the environment can be different among Southeast Asian species and with counterparts from other regions. For example, Tetrix undulata was shown to associate with habitats with preferred thermal properties (Ahnesjö and Forsman 2006) whereas Tetrix tenuicornis had differing preferences for microhabitats in accordance to changes in the weather conditions (Musiolek and Kočárek 2016). On the other hand, a riverine species, Tetrix ceperoi, prefers hotter, damper and bare areas, similar to species from NSSF (Gröning et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Quantitative studies on the habitat/microhabitat association of pygmy grasshoppers are rare and restricted to a few species (e.g. Hochkirch et al 2000, Gröning et al 2007, Kuřavová and Kočárek 2015, Musiolek and Kočárek 2016, and even fewer in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia consists of three biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al 2000), and is threatened by large-scale deforestation and land use conversion (Brooks et al 2002, Sodhi et al 2010, Wilcove et al 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ground dwelling pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) in Southeast Asian tropical freshwater swamp forest prefer wet microhabitats

Tan¹,

Yeo²,

Hwang³

2017

JOR

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Tetrigidae are an ancient group of grasshoppers and, similar to many other insects, have associations and preferences for specific microhabitats and habitats. The ecology of pygmy grasshoppers in Southeast Asia is generally under studied, especially in threatened habitats such as freshwater swamp forests. A study in Nee Soon Swamp forest, Singapore, was conducted to investigate association of limno-terrestrial pygmy grasshoppers with waterbodies and microhabitat. Specifically, we looked at the abundance and species assemblage of all pygmy grasshoppers. We correlated the abundance with major gradients of variation summarizing substrate and vegetation types along belt transects where sampling was performed. We found that pygmy grasshoppers in general are associated with wetter microhabitat conditions rather than the main streams in the swamp forest (i.e., water bodies). This is despite differences in microhabitat conditions of belt transects nearer to and further away from the main streams. We also found that pygmy grasshopper abundance is associated with the wetness of dicot leaf litter. We inferred that the abundance of food resources and suitability for egg development may explain their preference for wet microhabitats. We also found that the same patterns applied for adults and juveniles, suggesting that there is no demographic difference or ontogenetic shift in microhabitat association. Lastly, the adult assemblage can also be correlated to microhabitats. Based on our findings, we propose that pygmy grasshoppers can also be suitable bioindicators for the freshwater swamp forest, owing to their sensitivity to microhabitat conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground dwelling pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) in Southeast Asian tropical freshwater swamp forest prefer wet microhabitats

Tan¹,

Yeo²,

Hwang³

2017

JOR

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“…In sum, treetops represent a refuge for locusts from nocturnal ground‐hunting predators, and when declining temperatures prevent flight escape. Many ectotherms seek refuge from predators under similar cold conditions (Cooper, ; Musiolek and Kočárek, ; Peckarsky, ; Putman & Clark, ; Rand, ). Thus, roosting in large plants during cold periods seems to be adaptive for chilled locusts and other ectotherms to counter the negative effects of decreased temperature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such kinetic defences may be ineffective or impossible at low temperatures (Angilletta, Niewiarowski, & Navas, ; Christian & Tracy, ; Herrel, James, & Van Damme, ; Thomas & Blanford, ). As a result, ectotherms often use different defences at low temperatures, such as hiding, to protect themselves from predators (Cooper, ; Musiolek and Kočárek ; Peckarsky, ; Putman & Clark, ). Choosing appropriate microhabitats during periods of extreme environmental temperatures allows ectothermic prey to reduce predation (Hildrew & Townsend, ; Sih, ; Werner, Gilliam, Hall, & Mittelbach, ; Ydenberg & Dill, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such kinetic defences may be ineffective or impossible at low temperatures (Angilletta, Niewiarowski, & Navas, 2002;Christian & Tracy, 1981;Herrel, James, & Van Damme, 2007;Thomas & Blanford, 2003). As a result, ectotherms often use different defences at low temperatures, such as hiding, to protect themselves from predators (Cooper, 2000;Musiolek and Kočárek 2016;Peckarsky, 1980;Putman & Clark, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Defence tactics cycle with diel microhabitat choice and body temperature in the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria

et al. 2019

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We examined environmental factors influencing plasticity in antipredator defences of adult gregarious desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, including daily cycles in temperature, light, microhabitat occupied and predator threat. In the Sahara Desert in Mauritania, West Africa, daily temperature fluctuated widely from below locusts’ cold thermal limits for jump‐ and flight‐defence, to above their preferred body temperature. Locusts changed microhabitats throughout the 24‐hr period in synchrony with the daily thermo‐photocycle. They roosted in tall trees and large bushes at night, moved to the ground in the morning, shaded under or in small bushes and annuals at midday, moved back to the ground in the afternoon and then returned to night roosting sites around dusk. Locust antipredator defences varied throughout the 24‐hr period, and these changes were correlated with temperature, photocycle and habitat. Flight escape was associated with daytime, high temperatures and the ground habitat. Dropping escape (= releasing hold of vegetation and dropping to the ground or into vegetation) was associated with cool temperatures and low‐to‐medium sized bushes. Stationary behaviour was associated with the tree microhabitat and height off the ground. Roosting (a primary defence) was associated with cool temperatures at night and early morning, tree habitats and nocturnal ground‐foraging times of endothermic mammals. In summary, we propose that temperature is the key factor in determining both changing microhabitat choice and changing antipredator defence, due to thermal constraints on locust muscle for this ectothermic insect. The thermocycle also influences temporal predator loads, which influence the evolution of locust diel defence strategies. These various environmental factors not only influence one another, they also interact to influence antipredator defence expression in locusts. Overall, our study suggests that plasticity in locust antipredator defences is a complicated matter mediated by the interactions of multiple environmental factors and physiological and ecological constraints and trade‐offs.

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Weathering the hunt: The role of barometric pressure in predator insects' foraging behaviour

Azevedo,

Magalhães,

de Andrade Moral

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Abiotic factors strongly influence ecological interactions and the spatial distribution of organisms. Despite the essential role of barometric pressure, its influence on insect behaviour remains poorly understood, particularly in predators. The effect of barometric pressure variation can significantly impact biological control programs involving entomophagous insects, as they must efficiently allocate time and energy to search for prey in challenging environments. We investigated how predatory insects from different taxonomic groups (Coleoptera, Dermaptera and Neuroptera) adapt their foraging behaviour in response to variations in barometric pressure (low, medium and high). We also examined the response of different life stages to changes in pressure regimes during foraging activities. Our results showed that the searching time of Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) was faster in a favourable high‐pressure regime, whereas Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) had similar searching times under varying pressure regimes. Although no differences in prey feeding time were observed among the studied species, the consumption rate was influenced by low barometric pressure leading to a decrease in the number of preyed eggs. Moreover, we provide novel insights into how hemimetabolous (D. luteipes) and holometabolous (E. connexa) species at different life stages respond to barometric pressure. Doru luteipes nymphs and adults had similar consumption rates across all pressure regimes tested, whereas E. connexa larvae consumed fewer eggs under low barometric pressure, but adults were unaffected. This highlights the importance of investigating how abiotic factors affect insects foraging efficiency and predator–prey interactions. Such studies are especially relevant in the current context of climate change, as even subtle changes in abiotic factors can have strong effects on insect behaviour. Barometric pressure is a key meteorological variable that serve as a warning signal for insects to seek shelter and avoid exposure to weather events that could potentially increase their mortality. Understanding the effects of barometric pressure on predatory insects' behaviour can help us develop more effective pest management strategies and promote the resilience of agroecosystems. We provide new insights into the complex relationship between barometric pressure and predator–prey interactions.

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Weather-dependent microhabitat use by Tetrix tenuicornis (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

Cited by 9 publications

References 65 publications

Ground dwelling pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) in Southeast Asian tropical freshwater swamp forest prefer wet microhabitats

Ground dwelling pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) in Southeast Asian tropical freshwater swamp forest prefer wet microhabitats

Defence tactics cycle with diel microhabitat choice and body temperature in the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria

Weathering the hunt: The role of barometric pressure in predator insects' foraging behaviour

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