Effects of sound on swarming male Psorophora columbiae
Peloquin, J.J.; Olson, J.K.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 2(4): 507-510
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 2906987 Document Number: 279576
The effects of sound on the swarming behaviour of males of Psorophora columbiae was studied in the rice fields of Texas from 1979 to 1983. These mosquitoes responded to sound by abrupt changes in flight speed and direction. Tones with frequencies of 200-425 Hz were attractive for up to 1 m. Responses to tones with sine waveforms were more marked than to either square or triangular waveforms, but sounds produced for 5 s or longer cancelled any initial response. Males of P. columbiae appeared to use sound waves to locate females, but additional factors appeared to be required to initiate copulation. Males also appeared to use sound to maintain spatial distribution within a swarm.