Abstract
The directional hearing of male and female cicadas of the species Tympanistalna gastrica was investigated by means of laser vibrometry. The results show that the tympanic organs act as pressure difference receivers. This mechanism can produce left-right differences of more than 10 dB. The main acoustic inputs to the inner surfaces of the ears are the tympana, in males supplemented by the timbals, and by the third spiracles in females. In addition the hollow abdomen of males seems to play a minor role. Tympanic membrane input is the source of left-right differences in the tympanic vibration velocity at frequencies below 9 kHz in males and below 15–18 kHz in females. The input via the (contralateral) timbal in males is responsible for a null in vibration velocity appearing between 12 and 14 kHz when the sound is coming from the contralateral direction. The highest energy components of the calling song are found in this frequency range. The mechanical sensitivity of the ears depends upon the sex. At low frequencies males are about 10 dB more sensitive than females.
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