Characterization and generation of male courtship song in Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Male parasitic wasps attract females with a courtship song produced by rapid wing fanning. Songs have been described for several parasitic wasp species; however, beyond association with wing fanning, the mechanism of sound generation has not been examined. We characterized the male courtship song of Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and investigated the biomechanics of sound production.

Methods and principal findings

Courtship songs were recorded using high-speed videography (2,000 fps) and audio recordings. The song consists of a long duration amplitude-modulated "buzz" followed by a series of pulsatile higher amplitude "boings," each decaying into a terminal buzz followed by a short inter-boing pause while wings are stationary. Boings have higher ampl

SUBMITTER: Bredlau JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3632523 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature