Study on the effect of digital calling songs of Cicada orni and Okanagana rimosa (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) for attracting house sparrows, Passer domesticus (Passeriformes: Passeridae)

Some birds are important pests of agricultural products. Chemical control of harmful birds is not recommended because of environmental problems. To find better ways of control, digital calling songs of two cicada species, Cicada orni L. and Okanagana rimosa (Say), were used to attract house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Data were calculated by a (3×2) factorial experimental plan in complete random design with two factors: (1) calling song type with 3 levels, ((a) C. orni, (b) O. rimosa, (c) control) and (2) distance of attracted sparrows to the sound generator source with two levels of 3 and 6 meters (with at least 3 minutes interval flying out). The sound playing occasion in this plan was 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. and the amplitude of playing sound was approximately 1 watt for 5 repeats during 15 days with the same climatic conditions. The study was carried out from April in 2005 to late August of the same year in Karaj, Iran. The results showed that calling songs of C. orni and O. rimosa were significantly affecting the attractiveness of sparrows (P < 0.01). However, the calling song of C. orni with 3 meters distance was more efficient than of O. rimosa.