Feeding behavior increases strength and frequency of vibrational communication signals of Neoaliturus tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Authors: PITT, WILLIAM - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission; OROPEZA ROJAS, MONICA - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission; MANZARO, VALARIE - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission; CHAMBERLAIN, EDITH - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission; Angelella, Gina; Marshall, Adrian; JOCSON, DOWEN - Washington State University; Cooper, William; NORTHFIELD, TOBIN - Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2026
Publication Date: 5/29/2026
Citation: Pitt, W.J., Oropeza Rojas, M., Manzaro, V., Chamberlain, E., Angelella, G.M., Marshall, A.T., Jocson, D.M., Cooper, W.R., Northfield, T. 2026. Feeding behavior increases strength and frequency of vibrational communication signals of Neoaliturus tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 119(4):287-299. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saag021.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saag021

Interpretive Summary: Leafhoppers communicate by sending vibrational calls through plant tissues to locate, attract, and judge the suitability of potential mates, and the intensity and frequency of these vibrations can influence the behavioral responses of recipient insects. These vibrations are transmitted through any point of contact with the plant; but while leafhoppers are known to send vibrations while probing plants with their mouthparts to feed, it is unclear whether feeding while signaling degrades the signal, thereby creating a trade-off between feeding and mate attraction. USDA researchers in Wapato, WA, in collaboration with Washington State University researchers simultaneously recorded the feeding/probing behavior and vibrational call signals of beet leafhoppers and found that probing increased the amplitude and dominant frequency of the call, although amplitude increased only while the leafhopper was ingesting xylem and not phloem. This suggests that contrary to creating a trade-off between feeding and mate attraction, calling while probing could improve the vibrational call transmission. Further research into the effects of calling while feeding on the behavior of potential mates and predators is merited.

Technical Abstract: Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) use substrate-borne vibrations to communicate, and characteristics of these vibrational signals help identify, locate, and assess suitability of potential mates. The intensity and frequency composition of signals influence behavioral responses in conspecifics. Leafhoppers are known to produce signals while probing, but it is unclear whether this dual activity degrades signal clarity, inducing a trade-off between nutrient acquisition and mate attraction. In contrast, we hypothesized that inserted mouthparts could provide an additional point of contact with the plant, improving signal clarity. Here, we combine simultaneous electropenetrography and accelerometer recordings to assess how beet leafhopper (Neoaliturus tenellus) vibrational signals vary with probing behavior, including xylem ingestion, phloem salivation/ingestion and probing of epidermis and mesophyll cells. Signals documented during 6-hour recordings of male leafhoppers had significantly higher amplitude and dominant frequency when leafhoppers were probing than when they were not probing. However, the dominant frequency of signals was similar when leafhoppers were engaged in pathway phase, phloem ingestion, and xylem ingestion. Of the different probing behaviors, xylem ingestion had the strongest positive effect on signal amplitude, but phloem ingestion did not influence signal amplitude. Additional contact between the leafhopper and the plant surface, provided by leafhopper mouthparts, may allow for improved vibration transmission, potentially increasing signal active space. In light of our finding that the act of probing plant tissues influences information conveyed in leafhopper vibrational signals, we suggest further research to evaluate the impacts these signal changes have on the behavior of other mates and natural enemies.