Optimising acoustic camouflage through characterisation and biomimicry of moth scales
Abstract
Defense against predators is critical, and moths have evolved an impressive array of anti-predator strategies to defend themselves. Camouflage in particular is a cost-effective way to escape a predator’s attention and has been widely studied, albeit mainly in the visual domain. Most moths are, however, night-active and therefore mainly need to defend themselves against bats hunting by sound, specifically through echolocation. To escape detection, moths may consequently have evolved scales on body and wings for acoustic camouflage, as these microstructures can in some species absorb ultrasound. Here, our central aim is to identify form-function relationships of scales and scale assemblages producing acoustic camouflage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310622
Entities
People
- Matthew D. Shawkey
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Ghent University
- United States Air Force