D.N. LAPSHIN, D.D. VORONTSOV
THE SENSITIVITY OF MOTHS ENARGIA PALEACEA ESP. (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) TO THE ECHO-LIKE STIMULI
The auditory system of noctuoid moths has long been a model for anti-predator studies in neuroethology. Another suggested function for ultrasonic audition in moths along with their capability to emit loud ultrasonic clicks was an impulse echolocation. However, it seemed impossible to have temporal resolution sufficient for echolocator being realised by a simple auditory system and, thus, echolocation in moths looked rather incredible. Here we present an evidence of capability to perceive an echo following moth's own click with a very short delay. The behavioural responses of moths to the acoustic pulses imitating echoes of their own clicks were investigated under conditions of tethered flight. It has been found that such echo-like stimulation evokes an increase in average emission rate of own acoustic signals in moths. Auditory thresholds were measured in noctuid moths Enargia paleacea Esp. at four values of the stimulus delay: 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 1 ms in relation to the respective moth's clicks. Our findings demonstrate the ability of these moths to perceive echoes of their own signals, thus suggesting a possibility for use of impulse echolocation.
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