Does anthropogenic noise affect the acoustic courtship interactions of Gryllus bimaculatus?

Abstract

Acoustic courtship displays are ubiquitous among animals. Signallers use these acoustics to advertise their willingness to mate, while receivers may be able to infer something of the signaller's quality from them. However, increases in anthropogenic noise may reduce the production, transmission and reception of these signals, leading to consequences for reproductive success. In this study, we conducted behavioural observations of courtship interactions of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus , under anthropogenic noise conditions. We found that the presence of traffic noise had no effect on the outcome courtship interactions in this species, and their behaviour during courtship did not appear to be altered either. However, we found that the presence of white noise led to a reduction in male signal production, resulting in fewer successful matings. Males that did signal under white noise conditions had altered signal characteristics, including increased song frequency and reduced tick rate. Mate-guarding behaviour was also found to differ between individuals that courted and those that did not. The use of typical anthropogenic noise and white noise in this experiment allows us to consider the importance of specific characteristics of the acoustic pollutant in causing this disruption. • Human-generated acoustics can have a significant impact on the behaviour of animals. • We observed the courtship of field crickets under anthropogenic noise conditions. • Traffic noise did not affect the mating behaviour or acoustics of these crickets. • White noise affected male signalling behaviour, but not female response behaviour.