I understand that only the male crickets chirp and that they do so to either call out their territory or to attract females. I have also read that the cricket chirps vary by species and actually speed up or slow down in relationship to the temperature. My question is "Why is the chirping constant and not more sporadic?"
2006-08-22 01:05:01 · 2 answers · asked by ? 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Cookie: Your answer was verbatim from Wikipedia which I also checked. It did not answer my specific question of why the chirping is continuous.
2006-08-22 04:05:29 · update #1
Most adult crickets dont live very long, so I think the answer to your question comes down to biological fitness. Becasue the sole purpose of any organism on this planet is to perpetuate its own genetic material (DNA), it must put forward the best effort it can when the time comes. Because crickets are relatively low on the food chain, and have a relatively short life span, the time they have for any particular reproductive event is somewhat limited.
In order for the males to be successful in reproduction they must put on the best vocal performance of their lives, and if it requires them to sing all through the night, then so be it. In the eyes of all organisms on the planet, it is worth risking your own life in order to spread your seed.
I hope that answers your question!
2006-08-22 04:48:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
Crickets, family Gryllidae (also known as "true crickets"), are insects somewhat related to grasshoppers and more closely related to katydids or bush crickets (order Orthoptera). They have somewhat flattened bodies and long antennae.
Crickets are known for their chirp (which only male crickets can do; male wings have ridges that act like a "comb and file" instrument). The left forewing has a rib (modified vein) which bears a number of minute teeth. They chirp by rubbing their left forewing against the hind edge of the right forewing. This sound producing action is called "stridulation" and the song is species-specific. There are two types of cricket songs: a calling song and a courting song. The calling song attracts females and repels other males, and is fairly loud. The courting song is used when a female cricket is near, and is a very quiet song. Female crickets have a long needlelike egg-laying organ (ovipositor).
Crickets chirp at different rates depending both on their species and the temperature of their environment. Most species chirp at higher rates the higher the temperature is (approx. 60 chirps a minute at 13ºC in one common species; each species has its own rate). The relationship between temperature and the rate of chirping is known as Dolbear's Law.
To hear the mating call of other crickets, crickets have ears located in an unusual spot on its knees. More precisely, the ear drum is located just below the joint of their front legs.
2006-08-22 02:28:53 · answer #2 · answered by cookie 2 · 5⤊ 5⤋
It's just like how birds constantly chirp to attract mates.
2006-08-22 03:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by yofatcat1 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
to annoy people so they won't get much rest
2006-08-22 03:15:08 · answer #4 · answered by Innocence 3 · 11⤊ 3⤋