Removal of both antennae influences the courtship and aggressive behaviors in male crickets.

Abstract

To test whether insect antennae are necessary for eliciting courtship and aggression toward appropriate partners, we antennectomized adult male crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) and observed their behavior toward other antennectomized males and intact females. At 7 days after removal of both antennae, pairs of antennectomized males were placed together; 80% displayed courtship behavior, generating courtship song by rubbing their forewings together, toward other antennectomized males, and 20% displayed aggressive behavior. Only 45% courted intact females. No intact males courted antennectomized males, and 80% displayed aggressive behavior. All intact males courted females. The results for males with one antenna removed were essentially the same as for intact males. These findings indicate that a high proportion of male crickets with both antennae removed court other males and fail to display male-male aggression, demonstrating that removal of antennae from male crickets induces male-male courtship and that an antenna is necessary for the expression of male-male aggression. Moreover, brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) levels in male crickets were significantly reduced at 7 days after removal of antennae. The reduction of 5-HT was detected primarily in the central body of the brain. Thus, 5-HT in the central body of the male cricket brain may be involved in the behavioral changes.