Localization of Insect Calls by the Bat Nyctophilus-Geoffroyi (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) - a Laboratory Study

Abstract

Many insects use acoustic signals to attract mates but their calls may be exploited by predators. This laboratory study showed that the lesser long-eared bat, Nyctophilus geoffroyi, was attracted to both (a) calling tettigoniids and (b) synthesised calls broadcast through loud-speakers. Playback experiments, using synthetic calls, demonstrated that bats were more attracted to calls of longer duration than to calls of short duration, while high calling rates and high call intensities had no special attraction. Two-speaker choruses appeared to be more attractive than a single speaker. These results are discussed in the context of predation as a selective force on calling strategies.