Multimodal communication by the black-horned tree cricket, Oecanthus nigricornis (Walker) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract

Adult male tree crickets, Oecanthus nigricornis (Walker), employ acoustic, olfactory, and vibratory signals during mating. Females were attracted significantly (p < 0.001) to the conspecific courtship song and to conspecific male scent. Males had 63, 39, and 0% copulation success in normal, waxed-over metanotal gland, and nonsinger groups respectively. Males provide the females with metanotal glandular products and a subsequently ingested spermatophore. Females appear to select mates on the males' ability to communicate these nutritional investment capabilities.