Climate- and habitat dependent differences in wing – dimorphism in Roesels’ bushcricket (Metrioptera roeselii, Ensifera: Tettigonoidea)
Abstract
The responses of insects on the climate change are discussed in several recent publications. The wing dimorphic species are suitable target species of such surveys. Higher frequency of macropterous individuals was observed in warm and dry years in some bush-crickets, e.g. Metrioptera roeselii. Furthermore, a trade-off between the costs of macroptery and reduced fertility of females was hypothesised. We have studied the wing dimorphism in Roesels’ bush cricket populations in 6 populations in Northern Hungary (Aggtelek karst region) and in one population in the Transcarpathian (Bereg) lowland (Ukraine). The specimens were exsiccated and measured in standardised way. Body weight, thorax weight and abdomen weight were measured in connection to macroptery vs. brachyptery. High frequency of macropterous individuals was found in some meadows surrounded by closed forests. Body weight of females was significantly higher because of their larger abdomen. The body and abdomen weight of the macropters and brachypters were similar, but the thorax weight sowed significant differences. Thus, we concluded that the macropterous individuals probably actively use their wings during the step-by-step expansion. However, the abdomen weight of macropterous females did not show any significant decrease, although it showed high individual variation, thus the possible trade-off between macroptery and lower fertility of females was not supported.
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