Buzz
In species like the common wood nymph (Cercyonia pegala), the auditory structures in their wings may enable them to detect a broad range of low-frequency sounds. Wikimedia Commons/USED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS CC BY-ND 2.0Ever thought about sharing your troubles with a butterfly? While they might not grasp your words, recent studies reveal they can hear you. Surprisingly, some butterflies even use their wings to listen.
It has long been known that many butterflies hear through tiny openings at the base of their wings, covered by membranes similar to human eardrums. However, a team led by Dr. Jayne Yack, a neuroethologist and professor in the Department of Biology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, discovered that at least one butterfly family uses wing-based structures for hearing.
Published on Oct. 17, 2018, in the journal Biology Letters, the group's findings reveal that nymphalid butterflies, a family of 2,500 species including monarchs, morphos, emperors, and admirals, possess swollen veins on their forewings that aid in hearing. These veins, filled with air, provide structural support to the wings. The researchers, led by Yack, speculated that the enlarged veins near the ear cavity might play a role in auditory functions.
Using lasers to image butterfly wings, the team played sounds at frequencies similar to human speech. The swollen wing veins in all 30 common wood nymph (Cercyonis pegala) butterflies responded to the sound. When these veins were slightly cut, their hearing ability was impaired, confirming the veins' role in the auditory process.
While the exact function of these specialized hearing structures remains unclear, researchers believe they may help nymphalid butterflies detect a broader range of low-frequency sounds.
Sharing your personal struggles with a moth would be pointless, as their hearing range is too high to detect human speech.
