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The Secret Battle of Two Crickets: Why These Crickets Can't Tolerate Their Own Kinds?
The two-spotted field cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) is a species of field cricket found in subtropical regions of Africa, the Mediterranean region, and parts of Asia. This cricket is unique in that it has two spots at the base of its wings, making it stand out among its peers. In addition, they not only play an important role in the ecosystem, but are also used as a food source for reptiles, becoming a popular choice for pets and zoos.
In the wild, male crickets compete fiercely with each other, have low tolerance for their own kind, and often fight to secure territory.
Cricket fighting behavior
The reason why male crickets fight with their companions is mainly to get the opportunity to mate, and this behavior is quite common in nature. The fighting method is to open the jaw, grab the opponent's jaw and push with the hind legs. Although fighting can lead to threats, typically the loser will retreat without suffering significant harm, a behavior that not only preserves individual survival but also ensures the reproduction of genes. At night, when the sunlight fades, male crickets use their unique chirping calls to attract females and drive away other males. These rhythmic calls are not only their social language, but also part of their courtship. When they encounter other males, they will make high-frequency and rapid calls, which invisibly increase their advantages and reduce the threat of competitors.
Reproduction and life cycle
Female crickets have a special organ called an ovipositor that allows them to bury their eggs directly into the soil. Typically, the eggs will hatch within two weeks, during which time the humidity and soil quality of the environment will affect the success rate of hatching. It is worth noting that this cricket exhibits polygamous reproductive behavior, where female crickets often mate with multiple male crickets, a strategy known as polyandry, which helps increase the success rate of fertilization because females can get more males. Lots of sperm to choose from. Experts note that female crickets' preference for males often leads them to choose new mates, a behavior known as the neo-mate hypothesis. This method not only helps to increase genetic diversity, but also prevents the negative effects of inbreeding and ensures the health of future generations.
The reproductive behavior of crickets is complex and sophisticated, and their strategy for choosing a new mate is not only instinctive but also a deliberate move for genetic diversity.
Survival strategies and habitats
In adverse environments, these crickets will seek out secluded places to roost, such as under tree trunks, in weeds, or even in burrows dug by other animals. Although male crickets compete with each other, they are relatively tolerant of female crickets and are willing to share their roosting space. Female crickets occasionally engage in cannibalism when resources are limited, but this is a very rare occurrence.
The uses and value of crickets
In addition to its ecological importance, Gryllus bimaculatus plays a key role in aquaculture. As a staple food for a variety of reptiles, they are widely farmed as a food source for pets and zoo animals. At the same time, in some countries, this cricket is also used in cultural activities such as cricket racing, further increasing its commercial value.
Genome Exploration
With the development of technology, scientists finally released two cricket genome information in 2020. The total length of this genome reaches 1.66 Gb and contains as many as 17,871 annotated protein-coding genes, which will play an important role in promoting future research on cricket biology.
Not only is the two-spotted cricket ecologically important, analysis of its genome will also help humans understand the roots of its physiology and behavior, opening a new window for future research.
Can we better understand competition and cooperation in nature by studying this interesting cricket in depth?
