Vibrational Communication (Drumming) and Mate-Searching Behavior of Stoneflies (Plecoptera); Evolutionary Considerations

Abstract

ABSTRAcr A long recognized but little explored mode of intersexual communication in insects is use of low-frequency substrate-borne vibrational signals. Representatives of 10 insect orders are known to have adopted this mode; range of communication, informational content and receiver integration of signals and energy costs are discussed. Arctoperlarian stoneflies represent the epitome of evolution of vibrational communication. Their ancestral signals were monophasic volleys of evenly spaced drumbeats. Derived signals to achieve species-specificity and possibly to enable sexual. selection or some measure of reproductive fitness has involved modification of the ancestral form toward complex signals through: (I) changes in the rhythmic patterning of calls, (2) patterns of ($-9 duetting, and/or changes in the method of signal production such as rubbing or tremulation. Proposed paradigms for the evolution of vibrational communication and evolution of signal patterns are presented, with examples of the signals of several arctoperlarian species. The entire mating system of Arctoperlaria is discussed, and searching behavior in relation to vibrational communication is presented for Pteronarcella badia, Claassenia sabulosa, Perlinella drymo and Suwallia sp.