1. Manipulating behaviour with substrate-borne vibrations - potential for insect pest controlJernej Polajnar, Anna Eriksson, Andrea Lucchi, Gianfranco Anfora, Meta Virant-Doberlet, Valerio Mazzoni, 2015, review article Abstract: This review presents an overview of the potential use of substrate-borne vibrations for the purpose of achieving insect pest control in the context of integrated pest management. Although the importance of mechanical vibrations in the life of insects has been fairly well established, the effect of substrate-borne vibrations has historically been understudied, in contrast to sound sensu stricto. Consequently, the idea of using substrate-borne vibrations for pest control is still in its infancy. This review therefore focuses on the theoretical background, using it to highlight potential applications in a field environment, and lists the few preliminary studies that have been or are being performed. Conceptual similarities to the use of sound, as well as limitations inherent in this approach, are also noted. © 2014 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Keywords: insects, behaviour, pest control, substrate-borne vibrations
Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 38; Downloads: 27
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2. Predator-prey interactions and eavesdropping in vibrational communication networksMeta Virant-Doberlet, Ana Kuhelj, Jernej Polajnar, Rok Šturm, 2019, review article Abstract: Due to human perceptional bias in favor of air-borne sounds, substrate-borne vibrational signaling has been traditionally regarded as a highly specialized, inherently short-range and, consequently, a private communication channel, free from eavesdropping by sexual competitors and predators. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge pertinent to the view that most animals live in a rich vibratory world, where vibrational information is available to unintended receivers. In recent years, we realized that vibrational signaling is one of the oldest and taxonomically most widespread forms of communication by mechanical waves and that receptors detecting substrate vibrations are ubiquitous. In nature, substrate vibrations are reliable source of information readily available to all members of the animal community able to detect them. Viewing vibrational communication in more relevant ecological context reveals that animals relying on substrate vibrations live in complex communication networks. Long evolutionary history of this communication channel is reflected in varied and sophisticated predator-prey interactions guided by substrate-borne vibrations. Eavesdropping and exploitation of vibrational signals used in sexual communication have been so far largely neglected; however, existing studies show that generalist arthropod predators can intercept such signals emitted by insects to obtain information about prey availability and use that information when making foraging decisions. Moreover, males which advertise themselves for longer periods than females and with vibrational signals of higher amplitude face higher predation risk. It is likely that eavesdropping and exploitation of vibrational signals are major drivers in the evolution taking place in the vibratory world and we believe that studies of interspecific interactions guided by substrate vibrations will, in the future, offer numerous opportunities to unravel mechanisms that are central to understanding behavior in general.
Keywords: biotremology, vibrational communication, communication network, predator-prey interactions, eavesdropping
Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 37; Downloads: 82
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3. The process of pair formation mediated by substrate-borne vibrationsin a small insectJernej Polajnar, Anna Eriksson, Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Andrea Lucchi, Gianfranco Anfora, Meta Virant-Doberlet, Valerio Mazzoni, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: The ability to identify and locate conspecifics depends on reliable transfer of information between emitter and receiver. For a majority of plant-dwelling insects communicating with substrate-borne vibrations, localization of a potential partner may be a difficult task due to their small body size and complex transmission properties of plants. In the present study, we used the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus as a model to investigate duetting and mate searching associated with pair formation. Studying these insects on a natural substrate, we showed that the spatio-temporal structure of a vibrational duet and the perceived intensity of partner's signals influence the mating behaviour. Identification, localization and courtship stages were each characterized by a specific duet structure. In particular, the duet structure differed in synchronization between male and female pulses, which enables identification of the partner, while the switch between behavioural stages was associated with the male-perceived intensity of vibrational signals. This suggests that males obtain the information about their distance from the female and optimize their strategy accordingly. More broadly, our results show that even in insects smaller than 1 cm, vibrational signals provide reliable information needed to find a mating partner.
Keywords: mating behaviour, identification, localization, courtship, vibrational communication
Published in DiRROS: 02.08.2024; Views: 88; Downloads: 48
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4. The effect of timing of female vibrational reply on male signalling and searching behaviour in the leafhopper Aphrodes makaroviMeta Virant-Doberlet, Maarten De Groot, Andrej Blejec, Ana Kuhelj, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Sexual communication in animals often involves duetting characterized by a coordinated reciprocal exchange of acoustic signals. We used playback experiments to study the role of timing of a female reply in the species-specific duet structure in the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). In leafhoppers, mate recognition and location is mediated exclusively by species- and sex-specific substrate-borne vibrational signals and a female signal emitted in reply to male advertisement calls is essential for recognition and successful location of the female. In A. makarovi, males have to initiate each exchange of vibrational signals between partners, and in a duet the beginning of a female reply overlaps the end of the male advertisement call. Results of playback treatments in which female replies were delayed and did not overlap with the male call revealed that in order to trigger an appropriate behavioural response of the male, female reply has to appear in a period less than 400 ms after the end of the initiating male call. Results also suggest that males are not able to detect a female reply while calling, since female reply that did not continue after the end of male call triggered male behaviour similar to behaviour observed in the absence of female reply. Together, our results show that vibrational duets are tightly coordinated and that the species-specific duet structure plays an important role in mate recognition in location processes.
Keywords: vibration, insects, bioacoustics, animal signaling and communication
Published in DiRROS: 29.07.2024; Views: 95; Downloads: 56
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5. Interference of overlapping insect vibratory communication signalsMiguel Borges, Andrej Čokl, Alenka Žunič Kosi, Meta Virant-Doberlet, Raúl Alberto Laumann, Maria Carolina Blassioli Moraes, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Plants limit the range of insect substrate-borne vibratory communication by their architecture and mechanical properties that change transmitted signal time, amplitude and frequency characteristics. Stinkbugs gain higher signal-to-noise ratio and increase communication distance by emitting narrowband low frequency vibratory signals that are tuned with transmission properties of plants. The objective of the present study was to investigate hitherto overlooked consequences of duetting with mutually overlapped narrowband vibratory signals. The overlapped vibrations of the model stinkbug species Eushistus heros, produced naturally or induced artificially on different plants, have been analysed. They represent female and male strategies to preserve information within a complex masked signal. The brown stinkbugs E. heros communicate with species and gender specific vibratory signals that constitute characteristic duets in the calling, courtship and rivalry phases of mating behaviour. The calling female pulse overlaps the male vibratory response when the latency of the latter is shorter than the duration of the female triggering signal or when the male response does not inhibit the following female pulse. Overlapping of signals induces interference that changes their amplitude pattern to a sequence of regularly repeated pulses in which their duration and the difference between frequencies of overlapped vibrations are related inversely. Interference does not occur in overlapped narrow band female calling pulses and broadband male courtship pulse trains. In a duet with overlapped signals females and males change time parameters and increase the frequency difference between signals by changing the frequency level and frequency modulation pattern of their calls.
Keywords: vibratory communication signals, overlapping
Published in DiRROS: 26.07.2024; Views: 127; Downloads: 243
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6. Bridging biotremology and chemical ecology : a new terminologyValerio Mazzoni, Gianfranco Anfora, Reginald Bifield Cocroft, Fatouros Nina E., Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, review article Abstract: Living organisms use both chemical and mechanical stimuli to survive in their environment. Substrate-borne vibrations play a significant role in mediating behaviors in animals and inducing physiological responses in plants, leading to the emergence of the discipline of biotremology. Biotremology is experiencing rapid growth both in fundamental research and in applications like pest control, drawing attention from diverse audiences. As parallels with concepts and approaches in chemical ecology emerge, there is a pressing need for a shared standardized vocabulary in the area of overlap for mutual understanding. In this article, we propose an updated set of terms in biotremology rooted in chemical ecology, using the suffix ‘-done’ derived from the classic Greek word ‘δονέω’ (pronounced ‘doneo’), meaning ‘to shake’.
Keywords: vibrational communication, chemical ecology, biotremology, semiophysicals, pherodones, allelodones, zoology
Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 101; Downloads: 71
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7. Scaphoideus titanus forecasting and management : quo vadis?Elena Gonella, Giovanni Benelli, Nathalie Arricau-Bouvery, Domenico Bosco, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, review article Abstract: Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is a major pest for European viticulture due to its high efficiency in the transmission of one of the most destructive pathogens for grapevine, namely flavescence dorée phytoplasmas. Although it plays a major role in spreading this disease, S. titanus is part of a complex epidemiological cycle involving several alternative vectors with variable relevance for phytoplasma spread. Here we provide an updated review on S. titanus monitoring and modelling, as well as the available tools for management of this pest and for limiting phytoplasma transmission and, thus, also spread. Insecticide-based control is examined; additional emphasis is placed on innovative and low-impact control approaches, such as vibrational mating disruption, biocontrol, and methods to reduce vector competence. We also discuss the main emerging challenges to the implementation of effective and sustainable control programs against S. titanus.
Keywords: epidemiology, pest monitoring, modelling, Integrated Pest Management, vibrational mating disruption, biological control, plant resistance elicitors, RNA-interference, symbiotic control, entomology, insects, plant protection
Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 100; Downloads: 75
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8. Scaphoideus titanus up-to-the-minute : biology, ecology, and role as a vectorElena Gonella, Giovanni Benelli, Nathalie Arricau-Bouvery, Domenico Bosco, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, review article Abstract: Native to the Nearctic region, Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) has become a major threat for grapevine production after being unintentionally introduced into Europe, where it became the main vector of flavescence dorée phytoplasma, being mainly associated with the genus Vitis. Scaphoideus titanus is a highly efficient vector of the most important phytoplasma affecting grapevine. For this reason, compulsory insecticide treatments have been introduced against this pest in many European countries. Moreover, the continuous expansion of its geographical distribution makes this leafhopper a serious threat for several non-European Countries. In this article, we review the current knowledge about its taxonomy, morphology, biology, ecology, and its role as a vector. Finally, we point out the main challenges for research aimed at reducing S. titanus and flavescence dorée expansion across Europe and avoiding spread of the disease outside the Old World.
Keywords: vector distribution, life cycle, morphology, taxonomy, feeding behaviour, entomology, insects
Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 64
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9. Variation in plant leaf traits affects transmission and detectability of herbivore vibrational cuesEstefania Velilla, Jernej Polajnar, Meta Virant-Doberlet, Daniel Commandeur, Ralph Simon, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen, Jacintha Ellers, Wouter Halfwerk, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Many insects use plant-borne vibrations to obtain important information about their environment, such as where to find a mate or a prey, or when to avoid a predator. Plant species can differ in the way they vibrate, possibly affecting the reliability of information, and ultimately the decisions that are made by animals based on this information. We examined whether the production, transmission, and possible perception of plant-borne vibrational cues is affected by variation in leaf traits. We recorded vibrations of 69 Spodoptera exigua caterpillars foraging on four plant species that differed widely in their leaf traits (cabbage, beetroot, sunflower, and corn). We carried out a transmission and an airborne noise absorption experiment to assess whether leaf traits influence amplitude and frequency characteristics, and background noise levels of vibrational chewing cues. Our results reveal that species-specific leaf traits can influence transmission and potentially perception of herbivore-induced chewing vibrations. Experimentally-induced vibrations attenuated stronger on plants with thicker leaves. Amplitude and frequency characteristics of chewing vibrations measured near a chewing caterpillar were, however, not affected by leaf traits. Furthermore, we found a significant effect of leaf area, water content and leaf thickness—important plant traits against herbivory, on the vibrations induced by airborne noise. On larger leaves higher amplitude vibrations were induced, whereas on thicker leaves containing more water airborne noise induced higher peak frequencies. Our findings indicate that variation in leaf traits can be important for the transmission and possibly detection of vibrational cues.
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 55
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10. Hay meadow vibroscape and interactions within insect vibrational communityRok Šturm, Behare Rexhepi, Juan José López Díez, Andrej Blejec, Jernej Polajnar, Jérôme Sueur, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Our experiences shape our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. The natural vibrational environment (vibroscape) is hidden to human senses but is nevertheless perceived and exploited by the majority of animals. Here, we show that the vibroscape recorded on plants in a temperate hay meadow is a dynamic low-frequency world, rich in species-specific vibrational signals. The overall vibroscape composition changed throughout the season and also depended on the plant species, as well as on the spatial position of individual plants within the meadow. Within the studied community, vibrationally signaling species sharing this communication channel avoided interference primarily by partitioning vibrational space on a fine temporal scale. The vibroscape is a reliable source of information in the environment and expands our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes.
Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 109; Downloads: 117
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