Social experience and reproductive isolation in a vibrational insect
Mentor 1
Rafael Rodriguez
Mentor 2
Camille Desjonqueres
Mentor 3
Jak Maliszewski
Start Date
1-5-2020 12:00 AM
Description
Enchenopa binotata treehoppers are host plant-feeding insects that communicate through plant-borne vibrational signals. Typically, each species has a distinctive host plant species and male mating signal frequency (with the females of each species preferring the signal frequency of their males). At some sites, however, more than one species may be found on the same host plant. We chose to investigate whether developing in mixed- or single-species aggregations will affect an individual’s communicational behavior. Does developing in a mixed aggregation make communication systems more similar or more distinct? The consequences may weaken of strengthen reproductive isolation between the species. We raised two species of Enchenopa in treatments of either mixed or single-species aggregations from nymphs to adulthood. Once they reached adulthood, we assessed female preference with vibrational playbacks of male signals that ranged from high to low frequencies. When females heard an attractive call, they responded with their own mating call in return. By comparing the responses to the playbacks, we were able to determine which of the playback frequencies were preferred. We discuss our findings in terms of species reproductive isolation and the consequences for insect behavior in the wild.
Social experience and reproductive isolation in a vibrational insect
Enchenopa binotata treehoppers are host plant-feeding insects that communicate through plant-borne vibrational signals. Typically, each species has a distinctive host plant species and male mating signal frequency (with the females of each species preferring the signal frequency of their males). At some sites, however, more than one species may be found on the same host plant. We chose to investigate whether developing in mixed- or single-species aggregations will affect an individual’s communicational behavior. Does developing in a mixed aggregation make communication systems more similar or more distinct? The consequences may weaken of strengthen reproductive isolation between the species. We raised two species of Enchenopa in treatments of either mixed or single-species aggregations from nymphs to adulthood. Once they reached adulthood, we assessed female preference with vibrational playbacks of male signals that ranged from high to low frequencies. When females heard an attractive call, they responded with their own mating call in return. By comparing the responses to the playbacks, we were able to determine which of the playback frequencies were preferred. We discuss our findings in terms of species reproductive isolation and the consequences for insect behavior in the wild.
