Article 3FVF8 'Evolution in real time': silent crickets still singing for a mate

'Evolution in real time': silent crickets still singing for a mate

by
Patrick Barkham
from on (#3FVF8)

Scientists are fascinated that Hawaiian crickets still perform their vigorous mating call, despite having evolved to lose their song to avoid a deadly new parasite

Male field crickets traditionally attract a mate by "singing" - creating a sound by rhythmically scraping their wings back and forth.

In Hawaii, however, their song attracts a less welcome female: parasitic flies, whose larvae devour and kill the crickets from the inside out.

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