Effect of Temperature on Cricket Behavior?

Abstract

Temperature has been shown to have an effect on crickets and their metabolism (Weidlich, et. al. 2012). Our study was used to test what temperature the crickets are most comfortable in. We hypothesized that insect thermoregulation is easier to maintain in warmer temperatures than cooler temperatures. This can help scientists better understand where crickets are more likely to inhabit based on the best place for their bodies to function. To test our hypothesis, we set up an arena to study the different activity levels of the crickets based on different temperature extremes such as a hot side, cold side and an ambient zone in the middle. We studied the amount of movement of the crickets every 20 seconds to see which side of the arena they spent more time in. On average we concluded that the crickets tended to have more kinetic activity when there was a temperature gradient, and in that setting they spent more time in the warmer side than the cooler side. In our study, the results supported our hypothesis.  This study can further help the scientific understanding of ectothermic thermoregulation.