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| Female mosquitoes are among the most “sensitive listeners” in the insect world. (Image: mbl.edu) |
The buzzing sound of mosquitoes at night can be annoying, yet it is the most captivating and pleasant sound for these insects.
For a long time, scientists have known that male mosquitoes produce buzzing sounds to attract their partners. However, a recent study revealed an intriguing result: despite their simple body structure, female mosquitoes rank among the most “sensitive listeners” in the insect world.
Researchers have also uncovered the process by which mosquitoes seek their mates.
When two mosquitoes come close to each other and buzz together, they immediately alter their sounds produced by their wings beating at up to 600 times per second. If the two sounds are similar, the mosquito recognizes that it has found a potential mate. If the sounds differ, it indicates that the other mosquito is not a suitable match, prompting them to search for another partner for mating.
Scientists report that there are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes in the world, each generating distinct sounds. All mosquito species use these sounds to identify the appropriate mate for themselves.
This research was conducted by two researchers: Gabriella Gibson from the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich and Ian Russell from the University of Sussex, and was published on July 12, 2006.
