Stridulation

Definition

The act of producing sound by rubbing together certain body parts, commonly observed in insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and some spiders.

Etymology

From Latin 'stridulus', meaning 'shrill' or 'creaking', combined with the suffix '-ation' indicating an action or process.

Example

Male crickets use stridulation to create a distinctive chirping sound to attract females.

Synonyms

• Chirping
• Rubbing
• Scraping

Related Terms

• Acoustic communication
• Insect calls
• Mating
• Sound production

Usage Notes

Stridulation is primarily used for communication, particularly in mate attraction and territory establishment. In some species, it can also serve as a defense mechanism.