Versatile aggressive mimicry of cicadas by an Australian predatory katydid.

Versatile aggressive mimicry of cicadas by an Australian predatory katydid.

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BackgroundIn aggressive mimicry, a predator or parasite imitates a signal of another species in order to exploit the recipient of the signal.Some of the most remarkable examples of aggressive mimicry involve exploitation of a complex signal-response system by an unrelated predator species.Methodology/principal findingsWe have found that predatory Chlorobalius leucoviridis sigma phi lambda merchandise katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) can attract male cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) by imitating the species-specific wing-flick replies of sexually receptive female cicadas.This aggressive mimicry is accomplished both acoustically, with tegminal clicks, and visually, with synchronized body jerks.

Remarkably, the katydids respond effectively to a variety of complex, species-specific Cicadettini songs, including songs of many cicada species that the predator has never encountered.Conclusions/significanceWe propose that the 5 97 color touch versatility of aggressive mimicry in C.leucoviridis is accomplished by exploiting general design elements common to the songs of many acoustically signaling insects that use duets in pair-formation.Consideration of the mechanism of versatile mimicry in C.

leucoviridis may illuminate processes driving the evolution of insect acoustic signals, which play a central role in reproductive isolation of populations and the formation of species.