Antennae sense frequency of wingbeats: mosquito

1 of 1 Mosquito / Anders bjurn.. / License

The antennae of male mosquitoes help them find female mosquitoes by sensing the frequency of their wingbeats with fine, hair-like structures.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Sound and other vibrations

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Traps or insecticides that employ frequencies that mimic the wingbeats of female mosquitoes, biological pest controls.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The antennae of male mosquitoes and midges are also adapted to find females of their kind, but in a different way. The brush-like male antennae are sensitive to sound waves, particularly to those of the frequency of the wingbeat of females; so when a male midge 'hears' a female with his antennae, he flies towards the source of the good vibrations. The response is so simple that the insect will be attracted to anything producing vibrations at the correct frequency (even a tuning-fork)…" (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:133)

About the inspiring organism

Culicidae
Culicidae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Traps or insecticides that employ frequencies that mimic the wingbeats of female mosquitoes, biological pest controls.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Public health, agriculture

References

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Antennae sense frequency of wingbeats: mosquito

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