History of cricket biology

Abstract

“Cricket Behavior and Neurobiology” (Huber et al. 1989) summarized what were, at that time, the main areas of research on crickets. In his preface to the book, Franz Huber wrote “We hope this book stimulates cross-fertilization between different biological fields and encourages scientific progress.” One purpose of the present book is to document the considerable progress and cross-field interaction in studying crickets that has taken place in the years since “Cricket Behavior and Neurobiology” was published. Another goal is to make the case that crickets are excellent model organisms for studying problems in a broad range of biology extending beyond behavior and neurobiology. Although mankind’s millennia-old interest in crickets can be ascribed to their fascinating and easily observed behaviors, such as singing and fighting (Laufer 1927), recent advances have made it possible to address questions in areas including molecular, developmental, and evolutionary biology. Bentley and Hoy (1974), summarizing genetic, behavioral, and neurobiological studies on the mechanisms underlying production and responding to cricket songs, likened crickets to decathlon athletes: “We view the cricket as a kind of decathlon performer in neurobiology: it may not excel at any one thing, but it can be counted on for a sound performance in every event.” The technical and conceptual advances covered in the present volume show that the range of events in which crickets can be viewed as serious contenders has now broadened considerably.