Tuesday, December 11, 2012

How do insects hear?


How do insects hear?

A tympanal organ is a thin membrane surrounded by air, similar to a human eardrum.  This organ also makes insect communication possible. This is the primary auditory sensitive organ in insect species.  Organs that are sensitive to noise and sound waves are not located within their heads like humans. For example, grasshoppers and crickets have their hearing receptors in the legs.  Insects are able to distinguish different sounds.  They can tell the difference between a female and male within the same species of insect. Some insects like butterflies have their auditory reception organs located on their chest.  Cicadas have their located within their stomachs.  Mosquitos and ants receive sound signals with tiny hairs on their antenna.  Caterpillars hear with the hairs that cover their entire body.  Also, most insect are sensitive to vibration aiding noise perception.

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