Circadian calling behavior of the adult female brown-banded cockroach,Supella longipalpa (F.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae)

The diel pattern of pheromone-releasing behavior (calling) of the adult female brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa (F.),was examined. Calling occurs discontinuously throughout most of the scotophase in a 12L: 12D photoperiodic regime. Females exhibited a free-running calling rhythm after transfer to continuous light or dark conditions. Shifts in the temporal pattern of calling following changes in the timing of the photoperiodic cues indicated that lights-off is the Zeitgeber. Studies of insects under long- and short-day conditions suggest that, although insects within a population may call synchronously or asynchronously, respectively, the duration of an individual's calling bout is innately limited.