Planthopper bugs use a fast, cyclic elastic recoil mechanism for effective vibrational communication at small body size.

摘要: Vibrations through substrates are an important source of information for diverse organisms, from nematodes to elephants. The fundamental challenge small animals using vibrational communication is move their limited mass fast enough provide sufficient kinetic energy effective transfer the substrate whilst optimising efficiency over repeated cycles. Here, we describe a vibratory organ found across commercially group plant-feeding insects, planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). This elastic recoil snapping generates substrate-borne broadband vibrations fast, cyclical abdominal motion that transfers legs. Elastic potential stored and released twice two different latched energy-storage mechanisms, each utilising form increase speed motion. Comparison acoustic tymbal cicadas Cicadomorpha) reveals functional convergence in use mechanisms efficacy mechanical communication.