THE EFFECT OF PAIR FORMATION ON DIEL CALLING PATTERNS IN 2 CRICKET SPECIES, GRYLLUS-VELETIS AND GRYLLODES-SIGILLATUS (ORTHOPTERA, GRYLLIDAE)

After pair formation, male crickets should reduce calling to minimize the risks to males of attracting predators and/or rivals. We tested th is hypothesis in two cricket species, one in which males exhibit a hig h mating propensity (Gryllus veletis) and another in which the mating propensity of males is constrained by the manufacture of elaborate, bi partite spermatophores (Gryllodes sigillatus). Calling durations of ma le G. veletis declined precipitously after the introduction of females but remained unchanged in G. sigillatus. We attribute the asymmetric effect of female proximity on male calling to differences in the matin g propensity of males of the two species. Male G. veletis abstain from further calling in favor of repeated matings with the same female. Ma le G. sigillatus probably lack the opportunity to mate repeatedly with the same female and, thus, resume calling shortly after mating to inc rease their probability of attracting additional mates.