The 'solo' song of the male is a brief, high pitched chirp repeated at variable intervals of a few seconds. However, several males are often singing in close proximity to one another, and sometimes this results in a regular pattern of alternation between two adjacent males. When more than two males sing together, their chirps still are generally emitted separately to produce a non-synchronous 'chorus' (Jones, 1963, 1966). The males can also emit a more prolonged chirp lasting approximately a second. This is considered to signify an aggressive interaction betweenmales, but is also occasionally emitted by males on the approach of females. In general, males do not appear to interact aggressively with one another. However, experimental work does show that the onset, termination, and timing of chirps are all affaected by the stridultion of other males (see Chapter 5). [1]
References
- . Grashoppers & Crickets. London, United Kingdom: HarperCollins; 2012.