Stridulatory Mechanisms and Sound Production in Conotrachelus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

The elytral stridulitra and the plectra on the sixth abdominal tergite are described and illustrated for both sexes of Conotrachelus naso LeConte, C. posticatus Boheman, and C. carinifer Casey, as is the stridulitrum of the male C. nenuphar (Herbst); the female of C. nenuphar has no plectrum. The stridulations are described and illustrated by audiospectrographs for the first 3 species. Demonstrable differences exist between the stridulations of these species, and between the sexes of each. Individual weevils are capable of several speeds and frequencies of stridulations. Sound production can be induced by agitation of the weevils, or by rough handling.