Favoritos de berndtherat

My theory to the cicadas' antennas.

In contrast to the rare descriptions that Issus hear with the same noise producing (timbal) organ in the abdomen I suppose Issus hear with its antennas.

The antennas are very short. They are of little use as tactile sensors. The long legs would hit an obstacle first.

Does it make sense to hear with or near a (timbal) organ with which you can make enormous noise at the same time? I don't think so. Because there is a risk of deafening or ruining the own sensory cells.

Yesterday I discovered that the Issus antennas below their eyes are very well insulated.
There are white rings under the eyes. An olive-colored, stable, heavy part follows above the rings. At the top are the free-swinging antennas.
Apparently the white rings as well as the overlying part (difficult to vibrate) act as insulating dampers.
In effect body's own vibrations - as from the tymbal organ - interfere less with the antennas.
So the antennas can better receive and analyse vibrations over the air.

Unfortunately, I found hardly any information on the internet about the effect of cicadas' antennas.
They all say cicadas hear with the abdomen.
I say Cicadas hear with their antennas.
I'm pretty sure about my theory.
joy

obs for plant: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27021714

eggs on same plant: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27021717

obs for other Orthoptera: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27021716