Plants and Insects Communicate Through Sound
- New research from Tel Aviv University indicates plants and insects interact acoustically.
- This discovery could impact agriculture and pest control by leveraging sound.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have presented evidence suggesting that plants and insects communicate through sound, marking a new area in the study of natural acoustic communication. A study published in the journal eLife indicates that female moths can detect ultrasonic distress signals from dehydrated tomato plants. They then use this information to decide where to lay their eggs. Moths typically deposit their eggs on tomato plants, providing a food source for their larvae once hatched.
This groundbreaking research was conducted by Rya Seltzer and Guy Zer Eshel, under the guidance of Professors Yossi Yovel and Lilach Hadany at the university’s Wise Faculty of Life Sciences. The team stated that this represents “the first evidence for acoustic interaction between a plant and an insect.” These findings expand upon previous work by the research group, which had already shown that plants emit ultrasonic sounds when experiencing stress. The implications of this discovery could be significant for agricultural practices and pest management strategies.
Understanding Acoustic Interactions
The ultrasonic sounds emitted by plants are beyond the range of human hearing, yet many insects and some mammals, like bats, can detect them. To investigate this phenomenon, researchers conducted experiments with female moths. They presented the moths with two healthy tomato plants: one had a speaker playing sounds recorded from a dehydrated plant, while the other remained silent. The moths consistently showed a preference for the silent plant, suggesting they use these acoustic cues to identify optimal locations for egg-laying.
Further experiments were performed to confirm that the moths’ choices were specifically influenced by the sounds originating from the plants. The research team noted that their findings are likely just the beginning of understanding these complex interactions. Professor Hadany commented, “Here, we’ve seen that there are animals that are capable of making sense of these sounds.” She added that it is probable many other animals respond to various plant sounds, indicating a widespread, unrecognized form of communication in nature.
Implications for Agriculture and Beyond
This discovery holds substantial potential for revolutionizing approaches to agriculture and pest control. By understanding how insects react to plant distress signals, new methods could emerge for managing crop health and influencing insect behavior through sound. For example, farmers might use specific acoustic interventions to deter pests from laying eggs on valuable crops. This innovative approach could offer an environmentally friendly alternative or supplement to traditional chemical pesticides.
The ability to monitor plant health through their emitted sounds could also provide early warnings for issues like drought or disease, allowing for more timely and targeted interventions. This acoustic communication research highlights the intricate and often hidden sensory world of nature. It opens up avenues for further exploration into how organisms perceive and interact with their environments in ways previously unimaginable. The insights gained from such studies could lead to sustainable solutions for agricultural challenges globally.
The Sonic World of Plants: More Than Just Stress
Beyond the distress signals, there’s growing evidence that plants use sounds for various purposes. Some studies suggest that plant roots can detect the presence of water through sound waves. For instance, corn roots have been observed to grow towards the sound of flowing water. This indicates a sophisticated acoustic sensing capability that helps plants locate essential resources underground. Moreover, there’s research exploring whether plants produce sounds during growth or even respond to specific frequencies to enhance their growth. While still an emerging field, acoustic botany suggests a vibrant, unseen sonic landscape in our natural world.
In our picture: Prof. Lilach Hadany (right) and Prof. Yossi Yovel of Tel Aviv Aviv University. (Courtesy, Tel Aviv Aviv University)
