Acoustic-signaling
Guides
Aphrodinae
leafhoppers
Aphrodinae is a subfamily of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, containing approximately 7 genera and at least 20 described species. The subfamily is divided into three tribes: Aphrodini, Sagmatiini, and Xestocephalini. Members are distributed across the Holarctic, Neotropical, and Australasian regions, with some species exhibiting notable morphological variability, particularly in Alpine populations. Species identification relies heavily on male genital morphology and, in some groups, acoustic signaling.
Cyphoderris strepitans
sagebrush cricket, sagebrush grig
Cyphoderris strepitans is a primitive orthopteran and one of few surviving members of the family Prophalangopsidae, a relict group known primarily from fossils. The species is endemic to the mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, where males produce loud calling songs by stridulation to attract females. A notable feature of its reproductive biology is sexual cannibalism during mating, where females consume the male's fleshy hind wings and hemolymph, and subsequently a proteinaceous spermatophore. Males experience significant energetic costs from this nuptial feeding, reducing their ability to call and remate. The species is cold-adapted and capable of singing at temperatures as low as -8°C.
Drepana bilineata
warty birch caterpillar
Drepana bilineata is a moth species in the family Drepanidae, commonly known as the warty birch caterpillar. Its larvae are notable for their specialized vibrational communication, using two distinct signals—mandible drumming and anal scraping—to defend feeding territories on birch leaves. The species exhibits territorial behavior where resident caterpillars signal more frequently than intruders and win the majority of conflicts. This represents one of only two described examples of vibrational communication in Drepanoidea caterpillars.
Efferia
Hammertails
Efferia is one of the most species-rich genera of robber flies (family Asilidae), comprising approximately 241 recognized species distributed primarily across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. These medium to large predatory flies (10–40 mm) exhibit exceptional diversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems of the New World, with particularly high abundance in desert and grassland habitats. The genus is distinguished by pronounced sexual dimorphism in abdominal morphology and is notable for the males' distinctive 'helicopter tail' genital structure.
Euscelis
Euscelis is a genus of leafhoppers in the subfamily Deltocephalinae, characterized by pronounced phenotypic plasticity driven by photoperiodic cues. Species exhibit seasonal wing polymorphism, producing long-winged (macropterous) dispersal forms under long-day conditions and short-winged (brachypterous) reproductive forms under short-day conditions. Males communicate through substrate-borne vibrational signals produced by abdominal tymbal organs, with species-specific songs functioning in mate recognition and reproductive isolation. The genus occurs primarily in the Palearctic region and includes agricultural pests such as Euscelis lineolata, which damages Medicago crops.
Gryllus firmus
Sand Field Cricket, Sand Cricket
Gryllus firmus, the sand field cricket, is a wing-polymorphic cricket native to the southeastern United States. It exhibits a distinctive chirping call that distinguishes it from the trilling calls of closely related species. The species is notable for producing two egg types—fast-developing and diapause eggs—within single clutches, an adaptation to unpredictable conditions in sandy habitats. Wing morphs are associated with trade-offs between dispersal and reproduction: long-winged individuals can fly but have reduced fecundity, while short-winged individuals have enhanced reproductive output. The species hybridizes with Gryllus pennsylvanicus where their ranges overlap.
wing-polymorphismbet-hedgingdiapausehybrid-zoneacoustic-signalinglife-history-trade-offparasitismGryllus-firmus/Gryllus-pennsylvanicus-hybridizationcuticular-hydrocarbonsmate-choiceinbreeding-depressionextra-nuclear-inheritancematernal-effectshorsehair-wormParagordius-variuseugregarinetemperature-dependent-chirpingDolbear's-lawspeciationsexual-selectionimmunity-reproduction-trade-offflight-muscle-histolysissandy-soil-habitatephemeral-habitatcolonizing-speciesphenotypic-plasticityRNAinon-model-organismevolutionary-developmental-biologyHabronattus dorotheae
Habronattus dorotheae is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by Gertsch and Mulaik in 1936. The genus Habronattus is one of the most diverse genera of jumping spiders in North America, with males typically exhibiting elaborate visual and acoustic courtship displays. As a member of this genus, H. dorotheae likely shares the characteristic ground-dwelling habits and complex mating behaviors that have made Habronattus a subject of extensive behavioral research. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Icosium
Icosium is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) established by Lucas in 1854, containing the single species Icosium tomentosum. The genus is notable for the unique acoustic behavior of its larvae, which produce substrate-borne vibrations audible to humans through mandible scraping against bark. This represents the first documented case of chorusing behavior in Cerambycidae larvae.
Magicicada neotredecim
Neotredecim Periodical Cicada
Magicicada neotredecim is a 13-year periodical cicada discovered in 1998 and formally described in 2000, making it the most recently described species in the genus. It was identified when scientists detected a bimodal split in male calling song frequencies during the Brood XIX emergence, revealing two sympatric species where only one had been recognized. The species is most closely related to the 17-year Magicicada septendecim, sharing similar abdominal coloration and song characteristics, differing primarily in life cycle length.
Okanagana rimosa
Say's cicada
Okanagana rimosa, commonly known as Say's cicada, is a North American cicada species notable for being the host of specialized parasitoid flies that locate singing males by sound. Males produce acoustic calling songs that attract the parasitoid fly Emblemasoma auditrix, which deposits larvae into the sound-producing timbal organ. The species is also susceptible to the fungal pathogen Massospora levispora. Two subspecies are recognized: O. r. rimosa and O. r. ohioensis.
Polyglyptini
Polyglyptini is a tribe of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae. The tribe contains at least four genera—Bryantopsis, Entylia, Polyglyptini, and Publilia—with approximately nine described species. Members exhibit the characteristic enlarged pronotum typical of Membracidae, though specific morphological features distinguishing this tribe from related groups remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pterophylla
true katydid
Pterophylla is a genus of true katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately five described species distributed primarily in North America. The genus is best known for the northern true katydid (P. camellifolia), whose distinctive "katy-did, katy-didn't" call is a familiar sound of late summer evenings in deciduous forests. Males of this genus produce complex acoustic signals including solo calling, alternating calling with neighboring males, aggressive sounds, and disturbance sounds, with well-studied phonoresponse behavior involving reciprocal inhibition and post-inhibitory excitation.
Trimerotropis verruculata
Crackling Forest Grasshopper, Cracker Grasshopper
Trimerotropis verruculata is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the crackling forest grasshopper or cracker grasshopper. The species is named for the distinctive cracking sound produced during flight. Its specific epithet refers to the mottled, warty appearance of its exoskeleton, which provides camouflage on rocky substrates.
Trimerotropis verruculata verruculata
Crackling Locust, Crackling Forest Grasshopper
Trimerotropis verruculata verruculata is a subspecies of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Crackling Locust or Crackling Forest Grasshopper. It is distinguished by its forest-dwelling habits and the characteristic crackling sound produced by its wings in flight. The subspecies exhibits cryptic coloration adapted to woodland environments.