Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-treehoppers-have-such-strange-body-shapes/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/zAqBSz7Mnwg

Summary: Scientists discovered that treehoppers can sense electric fields in the air and that their strange body shapes help make these invisible cues easier to detect.

Abstract: Some animals can sense tiny electric fields around them. We call this electroreception. Sharks use it underwater. Using it in the air is harder, but some insects can do it. Treehoppers have strange body shapes with a part that can look like a helmet or crazy hat on their backs. We wanted to find out if this helps them use electroreception. We measured how much static electricity is on treehoppers, bees, and wasps. We then watched how treehoppers reacted to small electric fields – like the ones we measured on the insects. We also used computer models to test if their body shape made electric cues stronger around them. We found out that treehoppers, bees and wasps all produce electric fields. Wasps usually produce stronger electric fields than bees. Moreover, treehoppers can sense other insects’ electric fields. These fields can provide information about what is nearby. Strong electric fields – like the ones wasps produce – might warn them about danger. Tiny hairs on their backs help them sense those fields. We also found out that their helmet shape made the fields stronger. So, this rare sense and their unique body shape work together to help them stay safe from danger.

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