Neuroethology of Insect Hearing and Vibratory Communication

在卡尔顿大学的神经行为学和生物声学实验室里，我们研究昆虫的听觉“世界”。昆虫有着惊人的多样性的感觉器官，它们可以探测到远远超出人类感官能力的声音和振动。我们采用专门的方法来挖掘这些沟通渠道，并识别新的感觉器官。这个NSERC资助的项目支持了国际公认的前沿发现，包括夜间蝴蝶的超声波敏感耳朵，毛毛虫的声学“说唱战斗”，以及蚯蚓的振动介导的逃避。这项建议的重点是蝴蝶，毛毛虫和树皮甲虫的声学通信。蝴蝶是研究动物行为、保护和气候变化的重要模型。虽然它们的视觉和化学感觉系统已经被研究过，但对它们的听觉知之甚少。我们发现许多蝴蝶的翅膀上都有耳朵。我们现在要解决一个关键问题：“蝴蝶为什么有耳朵？”“我们将测试耳朵作为'捕食者探测器'的假设，无论是通过检测攻击捕食者的声音（例如鸟类飞行），还是窃听捕食者的呼叫。我们还将研究耳朵是如何专门检测和定位生物相关的声音。这项研究将为蝴蝶和其他昆虫的感官世界提供新的见解。毛虫对加拿大具有重要的生态和经济意义，然而，关于这些昆虫如何与环境相互作用的基本问题仍然没有答案。我们对毛毛虫的声学通信进行了开创性的研究，展示了声学信号和线索如何用于躲避捕食者，检测天气变化和通信。我们现在将研究毛毛虫如何感知空气和固体传播的振动，以及用于形成和维持社会群体的机制。这项研究将扩大我们对所有幼虫昆虫的通信系统的了解，包括蜜蜂，苍蝇和甲虫。树皮甲虫，包括山松和榆树甲虫，对加拿大森林构成重大威胁。我们发现，许多物种在树皮上和树皮下进行声学相互作用。我们将测试假设的声音信号的功能在成人和青少年，并旨在发现他们的声音传感器。这项研究将进一步加深我们对森林害虫声通讯的认识。 昆虫声通讯的研究有助于动物行为学、神经科学、昆虫学和环境科学等领域的研究。实际应用包括开发微型声学传感器的灵感，以及害虫管理和保护措施的策略。重要的是，这项研究将为HQP提供专业培训，为他们在林业，农业昆虫学，工程，教育以及环境和健康科学方面的职业生涯做好准备。

In my Neuroethology & Bioacoustics Facility at Carleton University we study the acoustic sensory `worlds' of insects. Insects have an amazing diversity of sensory organs that detect sounds and vibrations extending far beyond human sensory capabilities. We employ specialized methods to tap into these communication channels and identify novel sensory organs. This NSERC funded program has supported cutting edge, internationally recognized discoveries, including ultra-sound sensitive ears in nocturnal butterflies, acoustic `rap-battles' in caterpillars, and vibration-mediated escape in earthworms. This proposal focuses on acoustic communication in butterflies, caterpillars and bark beetles. BUTTERFLIES are important models for research on animal behaviour, conservation and climate change. While their visual and chemosensory systems have been studied, little is understood about their hearing. We discovered that many butterflies have ears on their wings. We will now address a key question: `Why do butterflies have ears?' We will test the hypothesis that ears function as `predator detectors', either by detecting sounds of an attacking predator (e.g. bird flight), or eavesdropping on predator calls. We will also investigate how ears are specialized to detect and localize biologically relevant sounds. This research will provide novel insights into the sensory worlds of butterflies and other insects. CATERPILLARS are of significant ecological and economic importance to Canada, yet, fundamental questions about how these insects interact with their environment remain unanswered. We conducted pioneering research on acoustic communication in caterpillars, showing how acoustic signals and cues are used to avoid predators, detect weather changes, and communicate. We will now investigate how caterpillars sense air- and solid-borne vibrations, and the mechanisms used to form and maintain social groups. This research will expand our insights into the communication systems of all larval insects, including those of honeybees, flies and beetles. BARK BEETLES, including the mountain pine and elm beetles, impose significant threats to Canadian forests. We discovered that many species engage in acoustic interactions on and beneath the tree bark. We will test hypotheses on the functions of acoustic signals in both the adults and juveniles, and aim to discover their acoustic sensors. This research will advance our knowledge of acoustic communication in forest pests. Research on insect acoustic communication contributes to the fields of animal behaviour, neuroscience, entomology and environmental science. Practical applications include inspiration for developing miniature acoustic sensors, and strategies for pest management and conservation practices. Importantly, this research will provide HQP with specialized training, preparing them for careers in Forestry, Agricultural Entomology, Engineering, Education, and Environmental and Health Sciences.