Specificity of Male Responses to Female Vibratory Signals in two Chinavia Species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is Based on Signal Structure and Narrow Temporal Parameters

Abstract

In this work, we tested whether variations in temporal pattern and architecture of the vibratory signals favor signals recognition and discrimination in two stinkbug species, Chinavia ubica and C. impicticornis. To relate the level of species recognition with species-specific vibratory signal we exposed males to natural or artificial signals. Different artificial signals were synthesized by changing the basic structure or temporal parameters of typical female calling signals of each species. Signals were transmitted to bean plants and the response of males was observed and recorded by a piezoelectric accelerometer. Results show that changes in temporal patterns of artificial signals significantly reduced the proportion of males responding by emitting the male song. Our results confirm that specific elements of male vibratory signals are critical for female signal recognition and discrimination by males and could contribute to prezygotic isolation in sympatric Chinavia species.

Keywords

• Neotropical stinkbugs
• Communication
• Sexual signals
• Reproductive behavior
• Signal architecture