Caterpillars, Electric Superpowers

Caterpillars, the squirmy wormy creatures that crawl among our plants, identify predators by sensing their static electricity emissions. So, a spidey sense, but not?

Static electricity is a stationary electric charge produced by friction; essentially, this occurrence is the accumulation of electric charge on objects due to contact with another object. Electrons are unequally transferred between the two objects after collision, causing one object to be negatively charged and the other positively charged; this creates a small spark.

For instance, when you touch one surface before touching a second surface, your fingertips feel a quick and light shock sensation. This is the behavior of static electricity, as the buildup of electrons moves quickly between the surfaces and your body.

The phenomenon of static electricity is even prevalent in nature. Lightning, a powerful and natural electric discharge, occurs when there is an accumulation of electric charge between the clouds and the ground. All around us, the constant flow of electrons creates tiny shocks. Some we feel; most we don’t.

Now, back to caterpillars. Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that the hairs on a caterpillar move with electric fields, allowing them to detect wingbeats of predator insects.

In their study, the researchers used a charge sensor to measure the frequencies carried by predator wingbeats. They also employed computational models to predict the electric field of a predator that interacts with a caterpillar, analyzing the caterpillar’s defensive reaction. They found that tiny sensory hairs were detecting and responding to the electricity.

Furthermore, this discovery is not only vital to our understanding of predator-prey relationships but also to our fight against noise pollution.

Lead author Dr. Sam England, notes, “This study unveils a new dimension to predator-prey interactions and hints at a previously unnoticed way in which we might be negatively impacting wildlife by introducing sources of electrical sensory pollution.” 

So caterpillars have a superpower, a spidey sense that keeps them safe from dangerous insects.

Bibliography

Bristol, University of. “2024: Static | Bristol Neuroscience Research Network | University of Bristol.” Www.bristol.ac.uk, www.bristol.ac.uk/neuroscience/news/2024/static.html. Accessed 30 May 2024.

“Caterpillars Can Detect Their Predators by the Static Electricity They Emit.” ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240524115312.htm.

“Caterpillars Use Their Hair to Detect Static Electricity of Predators.” Earth.com, www.earth.com/news/caterpillars-use-their-hair-to-detect-predators-static-electricity/. Accessed 30 May 2024.

“Environmental News Network - Caterpillars Can Detect Their Predators by the Static Electricity They Emit.” Www.enn.com, www.enn.com/articles/74664-caterpillars-can-detect-their-predators-by-the-static-electricity-they-emit. Accessed 30 May 2024.