Binghamton Study Reveals Caterpillar Hearing via Tiny Hairs, Suggests New Microphone Designs

Researchers at Binghamton University exposed tobacco hornworm caterpillars to controlled vibrations and airborne sounds in an anechoic chamber. They found the insects react to sound even below the vibration threshold, indicating sensitivity to airborne sound waves. Microscopic examination revealed that the caterpillars’ defensive responses depend on tiny, supersensitive hairs on their bodies. When the hairs were surgically removed, the caterpillars’ reactions to various sound frequencies dropped dramatically. The study demonstrates that these hairs function as hearing organs in the absence of tympanal membranes, offering a biological blueprint for future acoustic sensors.