Echolocation
The Tiger Moth's ability to hear echolocation evolved as a defense mechanism. Not only can the moth hear the echolocation of a nearby bat, it can also jam the signal with it's own sonar. It can emit high-frequency clicks to disturb the bat's returning sonar. This confuses the bat and gives the moth an even more efficient defense mechanism. This ability is mutually beneficial between the bats and the moths. Of course the moth benefits by living to see another day. However, studies have shown that bats find the Tiger moths distasteful and don't like eating them. These studies conclude that while the moths may jam the bats sonar, the sonar of the moths is also used as a sign to bats that the target is a Tiger moth and does not taste very good anyway. The bat then gives up the chase and uses its energy to find a more tasteful snack. |
This short clip shows a moth avoiding predation by jamming the sonar of the oncoming bat.
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To show that it is due to sonar jamming, scientists silenced the Tiger moth and put it in the same situation, as shown in this clip. The moth was eaten quickly.
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