Temperature-dependent parameters of stridulatory signals in the four-eyed fir bark beetle, Polygraphus proximus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Abstract

Abstract Acoustic signals are an essential part of the multi-modal systems of conspecific communication among insects. The patterns of abiotic factors effects on their communication parameters are of great interest for prognostic purposes in current climatic instability and for practical application in order to manage their populations. The aim of this study was to reveal the dependence of the parameters of acoustic signals produced by bark beetle Polygraphus proximus, an aggressive alien stem pest on the environmental temperature. Male stridulatory signals were recorded in seven temperature settings (5–35 °C), and changes in their temporal parameters were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The obtained results allowed us to reveal the pattern of temperature dependence of signals produced by P. proximus. More than half of the insects were found to actively stridulate at 5 °C. Raising temperature caused an increment in chirp rate that continued to increase up to 30 °C. Further temperature increase led to suppression of signaling in most of the tested males. The obtained results showed a number of patterns of temperature effect on the parameters of acoustic signals which might be universal for representatives of different bark beetles genera with various stridulatory apparatus types.