Bioacoustics of Neoconocephalus triops

Bioacoustics.— The call of Panamanian populations of N. triops was described by Walker and Greenfield (1983) as a “coarse buzz momentarily interrupted at intervals of ca. 0.6 s ” ( Figs. 57 A-B). The average calculated wingstroke rate of this species in Panama is 123±3 wingstrokes/s at 25°C. In populations from temperate areas, such as Gainesville, Florida , this species has two generations per year. Adults that mature in the fall (winter generation) undergo a reproductive diapause and start calling the following spring. Their song has a significantly lower wingstroke rate than that of the adults maturing without diapausing (summer generation). Populations in Central America display a call typical of the summer generation, which indicates a lack of the reproductive diapause ( Greenfield 1990 ).

Diagnostic description.— General characteristics as described above. Stridulatory file of male 1.8-2.4 mm long, with 65-86 teeth, maximum width of file 0.27 mm ( Figs. 44 C-D); teeth thinner and spaced more densely in proximal third of file than thicker and less densely spaced teeth of distal end. Mirror of stridulatory apparatus oval ( Fig. 45 B). Fastigium of vertex separated from fastigium of frons by narrow gap, fastigium underneath blunt, without well developed tooth ( Fig. 13 B); frontal portion of fastigium with weakly defined white band, usually accompanied by thin, dark line below ( Fig. 13 A). Mid femur with 2-3 small spines on anterior ventral margin, only rarely accompanied by black spots at their bases. Stridulatory area of left wing in most males with short, black longitudinal line parallel to veins M+CuA ( Fig. 45 A). Brown individuals often with dark speckles on tegmina ( Fig. 36 E). Ovipositor approximately as long as hind femur (ratio ovipositor/hind femur 1.07-1.13), straight. Measurements .— Table 7 .