Ultrasound-induced yaw movements in the flying Australian field cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus)

An ultrasonic stimulus induced negative phonotactic steering in the yaw axis of tethered, flying Australian field crickets. The forewings, hindwings and twisting of the thorax generated the forces which induced the yaw turn. However, abdominal ruddering did not contribute to yaw turns. Each aspect of the yaw steering response depended upon the stimulus intensity. At higher ultrasonic intensities, the magnitude and average angular velocity increased while the latency of the yaw turn decreased. Each of these factors varied in a graded manner, revealing that this behavior is more complex than a simple reflex.