Acoustic Orientation in the Cricket Teleogryllus Oceanicus (Le Guillou)

Abstract

New information is presented on acoustic orientation in crickets following a comparison between a species with a discontinuous song pattern, Scapsepidus maginatus (Murphey & Zaretsky, 1972) and one with a continuous song pattern, Teleogryllus oceanicus. The females acuity for side discrimination is ± 10° from the body axis whereas the total phonokinetic response shows a greater degree of error. Females can scan their turn angle to target angles beneath 60°. Erros is expressed in terms of information loss through the total behavioural sequence. The cricket does not orient while moving, requires no fixed leg position during the stop for effective orientation and can establish source direction on the basis of at least two syllables. Evidence of differential anterior and posterior tympanic membrane function is suggested.