In a surprising discovery, researchers from Tel Aviv University found that plants and insects may actually communicate through sound.
According to a study published in the journal eLife, female moths—those large, night-flying insects—can hear high-pitched distress sounds from tomato plants that are drying out. These sounds help moths decide where to lay their eggs. Since moth larvae feed on tomato plants, it’s important for the moths to choose healthy plants for their young to survive.
This research was led by Rya Seltzer and Guy Zer Eshel, under the guidance of professors Yossi Yovel and Lilach Hadany. It builds on earlier studies showing that plants emit ultrasonic sounds when they’re stressed.
Although humans can’t hear these sounds, many insects and animals like bats can. In lab tests, scientists gave moths a choice between two healthy tomato plants. One had a hidden speaker playing the sound of a stressed plant, while the other remained silent. The moths mostly avoided the noisy plant, suggesting they use these sounds to find the best spot to lay their eggs.
This breakthrough could have big impacts on agriculture and pest control. By understanding how plants and insects interact through sound, farmers might one day use audio cues to protect crops and guide insect behavior naturally.
