Acoustic behaviour of Ephippiger ephippiger fiebig (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) within a habitat of Southern France.

Field studies on the bushcricket Ephippiger ephippiger reveal that the males are highly mobile during their daily activity period. The distribution pattern of males is affected by the vegetation of the habitat. Males are clumped in areas with Sarothamnus scoparius (broom). The distribution implies the state of a fluid balance within the population. In the habitat the stridulatory period of males is influenced by climatic conditions. Singing is completely inhibited at a temperature below 17° C, during strong wind and rain. Thus, mating success and frequency is strongly affected by these biotic factors. Investigations in the laboratory show that constant ambient temperatures do not influence the daily stridulatory period; acoustically isolated females show a daily period of high locomotory activity nearly synchrone to the male stridulatory period.