The Effects of Temperature on Aggressive Behaviour in House Crickets

(Acheta domesticus)Celine Morais, Dalia Timani, Robin Sommerfeld

• Originated from northern Africa or southwestern Asia

• Have spread worldwide

• Prefer warm and moist conditions -Woodlands, pastures, fields -Inside man-made structures

House crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Aggressive Behavior

• Naturally display aggressive behavior

• Cricket fighting in China

• Males compete for suitable mates

Ectothermic organism

•Body temperature is influenced by their surrounding environment

•Past studies: Metabolic rates and locomotor activity increased with rising temperatures.

•Purpose: To test the effects of temperature on aggression in two male crickets by manipulating the temperature of their environment while in the presence of a female cricket

•Hypothesis: The intensity and frequency of male-male aggressive behaviour would increase with warmer temperatures and decrease with cooler temperatures.

Purpose & Hypothesis

Methods

Isolated crickets• 24 hours

Aggression tanks• 2 males + 1 female• 10 minutes

Temperature treatments

Hot (31°C) Warm (19°C) Cold (8°C)

Behavioural Scaling

Level 0: Mutual avoidanceLevel 1: Pre-established dominance

Level 2: Antennal fencing

Level 3: Unilateral mandible spreading

Level 4: Bilateral mandible spreadingLevel 5: Mandible lockingLevel 6: Wrestling

Brown et al. (2006)

• Hofmann and Schildberger (2001)

• Adamo and Hoy (1995)

• Booth and Kiddel (2007)

Previous Research Findings

General Conclusions• Hypothesis: It was predicted that an increase in intensity and

frequency of aggression would be observed as the temperature increased.

• Overall our hypothesis was supported as an increase in intensity and frequency was observed.

Possible Explanations for Findings• Frequency of crickets activity should have been recorded

• The use of wood shavings or too many wood shavings

• Lack of accessibility of female

Implications of the Findings

• Important in understanding energy budgets

• Cost of aggression in energy budgets on predator-prey interactions