Sex-biased predation and the risky mate-locating behaviour of male tick-tock cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae)

In this study, web-building spiders captured more male than female tick-tock cicadas, Cicadetta quadricincta. The preponderance of males in webs was not due to a male-biased adult sex ratio but instead appeared to be a consequence of mate-seeking activities. Males of this species flew frequently; they spent, on average, about half a min on a perch from which they sang before flying to another perch. They also made many short flights when responding to receptive females. Females did not show these sort of flight patterns. Male behaviour appeared to be a result of the pair-forming pattern of the species. Receptive females answered calling males by flicking their wings and males moved toward the sounds produced by these movements. The risky call-and-fly tactics of males would allow them to signal for mates over a large area.