Mutual Communication by Substrate Vibrations in the Mating Behavior of Planthoppers (Homoptera : Delphacidae)

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Abstract
The mating behavior of three species of delphacid insects, Nilaparvata lugens, Laodelphax striatellus and Sogatella furcifera, was studied under laboratory conditions. It was demonstrated that both sexes of these species emitted species-specific vibratory signals perceived by the opposite sex as substrate vibrations. Most males of the three species emitted signals within five minutes after placed on a rice plant regardless of the presence or absence of other individuals. Stationary virgin females responded to make signals of the same species by performing abdominal vibration (FAV) by which signals were emitted. Males responded to female signals by moving toward females on rice plants. Males stopped moving and emitted signals immediately after female signals ceased. Thus, alternate signal emission by both sexes was continued until males came in close proximity to females. Males always emitted postcopulatory signals to which mated female partners showed no behavioral respones. Normal mating behavior was performed both under fluorescent light and under darkness. In N. lugens, the entire process of mating behavior was observed on a sheet of thin paper without rice plants. Sexually mature virgin females responded to the playback of recorded male signals of the same species only when the signals were transmitted as substrate vibrations. Mated females and females of other species never reponded to the signals. Although females emitted signals by monotonous vibration of whole abdomen (FAV), males emitted signals by vibration of specialized tymbal organs on the 1st and 2nd abdominal terga.