Phonotactic flight of the parasitoid fly Emblemasoma auditrix (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

What is it about?

The parasitoid fly Emblemasoma auditrix locates its hosts the singing cicada Okanagana rimosa exclusively by sound. We experimentally analysed the phonotactic flight path to describe the phonotactic behaviour in relation to sound pressure level, target distance and elevation of the sound source. The flight velocity was partially influenced by sound pressure level and distance, but also by elevation. The accuracy of flight increased with elevation of the target as well as the landing precision. The minimal vertical angle difference eliciting differences in behaviour was 10°. We showed that the fly is able to orientate acoustically while flying.

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Why is it important?

As the fly is orienting exclusively along acoustic cues in the complex three-dimensional space of the habitat, it is interesting if and how the elevation of the sound source is perceived.