Research aimed at developing ultrasonic microphones with
insect-like sensitivity is to continue in the rainforests of Colombia and
Ecuador.
Following the discovery of a previously unidentified hearing
organ in the South American bushcrickets’ ear, a scientist from the University
of Lincoln (UK) will now study the role of this Auditory Vesicle in hearing
sensitivity.
Dr Fernando Montealegre-Zapata, from the University’s School
of Life Sciences, aims to understand how bushcrickets or katydids pick up on
ultrasonic frequencies in their natural environment. The insects communicate
using the highest-pitched calls in nature (130-150 kHz), which are not detected
by humans. The male produces sound by rubbing its wings to attract distant
females.