Physical sensory ecology | Boln. Asoc. esp. Ent. 21 (Supl.): 78 | 1997
Plats as substrate for transmission of vibraíory information
J. Casas
ABSTRACT
The short range interactions between the apple tentiform leafminer rhyiionorycler malella (Lep. Gracillariidae) and its parasitoid Sympiesis .sericeicomis (Hym. Eulophidae) on the mine are modulated by vibratoiy information. The host reacts defensively to vibrations produced by the foraging parasitoid and the parasitoid uses vibratory information given away by the moving and escaping host (Meyhófer et al., 1994, Physiol. ¡:nfomo. 19, 349-359. Bacher et al.. 1996, PhysioL Enlomo. 21. 33-43. Meyhófer et al. 1997, Tram. Roya! Soc. B. in press). The vibratoiy information available to the veceiver is modifíed by the substrate through which the information is channeled. Henee, we need to understand the mechanical behavior of the substrate to predict what kind of information is available to an animal at a given time and a given place on a leaf. In this talk, í will present our results on the role of leaves in transmitting and filtering vibratoiy information. Using impacts made by small metal balls, we mapped íhe vibrations of a leaf over its entirety and identifíed the influence of some leaf propeities (weight, size) on the vibration pattern. A model of vibrating leaves is constructed and iís relationship to observed valúes discussed.
