Intraspecific vertical stratification as a mate-finding mechanism in tropical cockroaches.

Cockroaches in a tropical forest stratify vertically both inter- and intraspecifically along micrometeorological gradients. At night, low wind speeds and unstable atmospheric conditions result in efficient vertical mixing of the air near the ground. Convective ascent of warm air imparts directionality to the pheromone- dispersion process. The occurrence of males at greater heights than pheromone- emitting conspecific females appears to be a mate-finding strategy.