'Evolution in real time': silent crickets still singing for a mate

Scientists are fascinated that Hawaiian crickets still perform their vigorous mating call, despite having evolved to lose their song to avoid a deadly new parasiteMale field crickets traditionally attract a mate by “singing” – creating a sound by rhythmically scraping their wings back and forth.In Hawaii, however, their song attracts a less welcome female: parasitic flies, whose larvae devour and kill the crickets from the inside out. Continue reading...