Atmospheric pressure; Habitat use; Niche;Temperature; Tetrigidae; Orthoptera

For ectothermic animals, selection of a suitable microhabitat is affected by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors. Also important is the trade-off between those microhabitats with optimal microclimatic conditions and food availability vs. those with the lowest level of competition and lowest risk of predation. Central European species of groundhoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) live in locations with small-scale mosaics of patches formed by bare ground, mosscushions and vascular plants (grasses and forbs). Our research focused on the effects of selected weather components (currenttemperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and sunlight)on specific microhabitat selection by adults (during the reproductive season) and by the last-instar nymphs (during the non-reproductive season) of the groundhopper Tetrix tenuicornis. Using experimental conditions, we determinedthat microhabitat use by T. tenuicornis is sex-specific and that microhabitat preference differs between adults and nymphs. We suppose that microhabitats are used according togroundhopper current needs in relation to each habitat?s suitability for maintaining body temperature, food intake and reproductivebehaviour. Microhabitat preferences were significantly associated with temperature and atmospheric pressure. Changes in atmospheric pressure signal changes in weather,and insects respond to increases or decreases in pressure by adjusting their behaviour in order to enhance survival. We propose that, under low atmospheric pressure, T. tenuicornisactively seeks microhabitats that provide increased protection from adverse weather.