‘Noise-cancelling’ scales help deaf moths to avoid predators
SOME SPECIES of deaf moths use “noise-cancelling” scales on their bodies to avoid being detected by predators, scientists have found.
These hair-like growths can absorb “as much as 85 per cent of the incoming sound energy from bats”, acting as a type of “biological stealth coating”. The researchers say their findings, published in Royal Society Interface, indicate moths unable to hear the ultrasonic calls of bats evolved this “alternative defensive strategy” for survival.
They believe understanding more about these so-called noise-cancelling scales could help scientists develop new technologies for absorbing sound.
Dr Thomas Neil, a research associate from University of Bristol’s School of Biological
Sciences and lead author on the study, said: “We were amazed to see that these extraordinary insects were able to achieve the same levels of sound absorption as commercially available technical sound absorbers, whilst at the same time being much thinner and lighter.
“We are now looking at ways in which we can use these biological systems to inspire new solutions to sound insulating technology and analyse the scaling on a moth’s wing to explore whether they too have sound absorbing properties.”
Bats hunt at night using echolocation, where they use sound waves and echoes to determine the location of their prey. While nocturnal insects evolved to hear the ultrasonic calls of bats, others, such as deaf moths, did not.