Private ultrasonic whispering in moths

Area of Science:

• * Bioacoustics and Animal Communication
• * Entomology and Insect Behavior

Background:

• * Moths utilize diverse mechanisms for ultrasonic sound production, often for mate attraction, competition, or predator defense.
• * Previous research focused on loud ultrasonic signals, overlooking quieter communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To identify and characterize a novel sound production mechanism in the Asian corn borer moth (Ostrinia furnacalis).
• * To investigate the function and characteristics of the ultrasonic courtship songs produced by O. furnacalis males.

Main Methods:

• * Observation of male O. furnacalis courtship behavior in close proximity to females (<2 cm).
• * Analysis of sound production through the stridulation of specialized scales on the wings and thorax.

Main Results:

• * Discovery of a new sound production mechanism: stridulation of specialized scales on the wing and thorax.
• * Males produce quiet ultrasonic courtship songs exclusively for close-range communication with females.
• * The quiet nature of the signal suggests adaptation for private communication, minimizing eavesdropping.

Conclusions:

• * The Asian corn borer moth employs a novel stridulation method for producing quiet ultrasonic courtship songs.
• * Quiet ultrasound communication, previously unreported, is likely a common strategy in moths and other insects for private signaling.
• * This finding expands our understanding of insect acoustic communication and its evolutionary adaptations.