Temporal Variation in Natural and Sexual Selection of Male Calling Behavior in the Field Cricket Gryllus Rubens

Abstract:

The field cricket Gryllus rubens is well suited for studying how natural and sexual selection interact to favor variation in male sexually-selected traits. In addition to attracting females, the calling song of male G. rubens also attracts gravid females of the parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea. These female flies deposit larvae on and around calling males, killing infected crickets within 7-10 days. In northern Florida, fly parasitism rates are higher in the fall than in the spring. This dissertation examines variation in male calling behavior in G. rubens and evaluates how that variation may be related to seasonal changes in natural and sexual selection.

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