Vibrational noise disrupts Nezara viridula communication, irrespective of spectral overlap.

ABSTRACT: Insects rely on substrate vibrations in numerous intra- and interspecific interactions. Yet, our knowledge of noise impact in this modality lags behind that in audition, limiting our understanding of how anthropogenic noise affects insect communities. Auditory research has linked impaired signal perception in noise (i.e., masking) to spectral overlap. We investigated the impact of noise with different spectral compositions on the vibrational communication of the stink bug Nezara viridula, examining courtship behaviour and signal representation by sensory neurons. We found negative effects of vibrational noise regardless of spectral overlap, challenging common expectations. Noise impaired the ability of males to recognize the female signal and localise its source: overlapping noise decrease

SUBMITTER: Janza R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11577028 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature