Unusual abdomino-alary, defensive stridulatory mechanism in the bushcricket Pantecphylus cerambycinus (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Pseudophyllidae).

The bushcricket Pantecphylus cerambycinus has two types of stridulatory mechanisms and acoustical signals. The elytro-elytral mechanism typical for tettigonioid bushcrickets is used to produce a narrow-band calling song (peak frequency 15 kHz). An abdomino-alary mechanism is used for disturbance stridulation. Its stridulatory file is situated on the hind edge of the abdominal tergites and consists of 50-70 parallel ridges, covering the whole width of the tergite. The broad-band sound (peak frequency 10 kHz) is produced by the contact between the file and ribs situated on the upper side of the hindwings which are folded in such a way that their upper side is directed toward the tergites. Defensive stridulation in bushcrickets is reviewed here, and its function and evolution discussed in the context of predator avoidance strategies. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.