Humans are constantly communicating with one another. We talk, use nonverbal cues and even rely on technology to get our messages across. But we’re not the only animals that communicate. From whale songs to mouse squeaks, creatures worldwide use various methods to connect.
Even smaller but just as communicative — if not more so — are insects. Despite their varying shapes and sizes, insects have developed many ways to share information about food sources, enemies and mating, all without using words.
Let’s explore three unique ways insects communicate with each other.
Insects rely on pheromones more than any other method of communication. Pheromones are chemical signals that allow members of the same species to interact. While humans can’t detect these signals in other animals, ants, for example, can scent the pheromones left behind by other ants.
As they travel, they leave a pheromone trail that guides others back to the nest, which is why ants often walk in lines. These chemical signals also help them avoid accidentally following the trails of other colonies, keeping them out of enemy territory.
Trail marking isn’t the only reason insects use pheromones to communicate. Chemical communication is also used to:
Insects communicate using sound, creating noises with their hind legs or wings that other insects can hear and understand. It’s similar to how we communicate non-verbally as humans, politely speaking across the table or (not so politely) clapping our hands to get someone’s attention. Sound is one of the main ways humans communicate.
In the insect world, crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers achieve the same kind of communication by rapidly moving their hind legs or wings, producing sounds that send messages to their peers.
Crickets are particularly attuned to the sounds of fellow crickets chirping, especially during mating season. Imagine being surrounded by hundreds of suitors, each making a similar noise to grab your attention. Female crickets listen closely to identify precise sounds to ensure they mate with the correct type of cricket.
Other insects, like the pea-sized treehopper, use the muscles in their thorax and abdomen to communicate via vibration. These vibrations travel through the insect’s legs and move outward, where nearby treehoppers detect the shocks through sensitive vibration sensors in their legs. Treehoppers use this subtle yet effective form of communication to:
Communication doesn’t always require words to convey meaning. Ants, for example, often use their antennae to communicate with one another. By touching one another’s antennae, they’re able to receive chemical signals that help them identify members of their colony from invaders. This tactile communication also allows them to share information about food sources and alert nestmates to potential threats.
Honey bees also use tactile movements to communicate. With a combination of vibrations and movements, the “waggle dance” helps a worker bee convey the location of food sources to its nestmates.
What’s more, this dance is passed down from generation to generation, according to researchers at the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Bees who learned from more experienced members of the hive danced with more accuracy than bees who never had a mentor to teach them the moves.
The more you explore the world of insects, the more questions you might have. How do insect species adapt to climate change? Can insects learn from their experiences, or are their behaviors purely instinctual?
With a career as a research entomologist or behavioral ecologist, you could turn your passion into a rewarding career, uncovering new insights about insects and sharing your findings with like-minded individuals. If these or other entomology career paths intrigue you, consider one of the University of Florida’s online graduate programs in entomology.
We offer four unique specialties, tailored to the skills and knowledge you wish to gain:
You can choose to earn either a graduate certificate or a master’s degree in any of these specializations. Each graduate certificate requires 15 credit hours, while the master’s degree consists of 30 credit hours: 15 credits for a broad study of entomology and 15 credits focused on your chosen specialization. With the master’s degree, you’ll earn two credentials: a Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology and a graduate certificate in your specialization.
We offer affordable tuition rates and year-round start dates, so getting started is easier than ever. Explore our programs and take the next step toward diving deeper into the fascinating world of insects — on your schedule, at your pace.
Sources:
https://www.science.org/content/article/shhh-ants-are-talking
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160330103328.htm
https://www.npr.org/2015/08/27/432934935/good-vibrations-key-to-insect-communication
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade1702
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