Eavesdropping on sexual vibratory signals of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) by the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi

Males and females of the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros, communicate with vibratory songs transmitted through plants. In this study, we examined the responses of the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi to vibratory signals of these bugs. Telenomus podisi females responded with orientated movements to the vibratory signals of female songs on plants and on an artificial substrate, whereas male songs, duets or continuous pure tone vibratory signals failed to elicit any response. In addition, T. podisi females had a higher turning rate when stimulated with female songs, indicating some effect on their kinetic behaviour. This is the first demonstration of a parasitoid eavesdropping on the sexual vibratory signals of insects. The potential mechanism of this directionality and its adaptive significance are discussed.