Influence of Sound Pressure Level of Frog Advertisement Calls on Attraction of Frog-Biting Midges

Abstract

Frog-biting midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae) have evolved the ability to eavesdrop on the distinctive acoustic signals emitted by male frogs from which they obtain a blood meal. Acoustic traps broadcasting the advertisement calls of Collett’s treefrog, Polypedates colletti, at 80 dB versus 90 dB sound pressure level were used to test the influence of sound pressure level on midge attraction. An increase in call amplitude by 10 dB led to a 5-fold increased capture rate, suggesting that amplitude is a critical factor in determining frog-biting midge attraction and the incidence of parasitism.