Substrate-borne vibrational signals of the Consperse stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

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Abstract
There is increasing evidence that short-range reproductive behaviors of phytophagous pentatomid bugs are mediated by vibrational signals. These signals have not yet been examined for bugs in the genus Euschistus, which contains several species native to the Americas. Substrate-borne vibrational signals (songs) were recorded from both sexes of the Consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus Uhler, an economically important agricultural pest in western North America. Females produced two songs (FS-1 and FS-2), each consisting of a series of frequency-modulated pulses with a pulse duration of 352 ± 105 (mean ± SD) and 163 ± 36 ms, respectively. Males produced four distinct songs, two composed of frequency-modulated pulses (MS-1 and MS-3), one consisting of narrowband pulses (MS-2), and one composed of a series of 1–6 short pulses, many of which were fused to form distinct pulse trains (MS-4). For both males and females, songs consisting of very short, frequency-modulated pulses (FS-2 and MS-3), with a mean pulse duration E. conspersus when compared with those of other pentatomid species, the song repertoire of E. conspersus was distinct and unique.