Unveiling the Hidden Ears of
Manduca Sexta Caterpillars
Embedded Files
Research Team:
PhD Candidates:
Sara Aghazadeh1: saghaza1@binghamton.edu & Aishwarya Sriram2: asriram@binghamton.edu
Advisors:
Prof. Ronald Miles1 : miles@binghamton.edu & Prof. Carol Miles2: cmiles@binghamton.edu
1 Mechanical Engineering Department, 2 Biological Science Department
Binghamton University, State University of New York
In the silence of an anechoic chamber, we dive into the mysterious world of caterpillar hearing. Through the lens of neural systems, microphone whispers, and laser vibrometer precision, we explore the hidden vibrations that may reveal how these creatures hear the world- an unfolding mystery with answers still to be discovered.
M. Sexta Caterpillars Elicit Graded Responses to Sound Stimuli Corresponding to the Intensity of the Stimuli.
M. Sexta Caterpillars Elicit Graded Responses to Sound Stimuli Corresponding to the Intensity of the Stimuli.
Jump Startle at 150 Hz-2.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 150 Hz
Jump Startle Response
Twitch at 150 Hz.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 150 Hz
Twitch Response
Freeze at 150 Hz.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 150 Hz
Freeze Response
Jump Startle at 2000 Hz.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 2000 Hz
Jump Startle Response
Twitch at 2000 Hz.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 2000 Hz
Twitch Response
Freeze at 2000 Hz.mp4Caterpillars Behavioral Response to Sound at 2000 Hz
Freeze Response
Comparison Test and Control Ablation at 150 Hz.mp4Comparison of behavioral responses of control
(sham ablated) & test subject (Abdominal long hairs ablated) to sound exposure at 150 Hz
Comparison Test and Control Ablation at 2000 Hz.mp4Comparison of behavioral responses of control
(sham ablated) & test subject (Thoracic hairs ablated)
to sound exposure at 2000 Hz
Research News – Manduca Sexta Caterpillars Hearing Study
These caterpillars can hear using tiny hairs on their bodies (Watch Video)
Bugged Out! 10 Discoveries About Nature’s Little Creatures Made By Binghamton Researchers
Manduca sexta Caterpillars Hear Using Hairs (Watch Video)
https://acoustics.org/manduca-sexta-caterpillars-hear-using-hairs/
This Tiny Animal’s “Hearing” Could Inspire Next-Gen Microphones! (Watch Video)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FEDYVGf5SxI
Why does sound startle these caterpillars even though they don't have ears?
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/caterpillars-hearing-hair
Caterpillars use tiny hairs to hear
https://www.popsci.com/environment/caterpillars-hair-hearing/
Caterpillars hear through tiny body hairs, which could inspire improved microphones
These caterpillars hear through hair, scientists discover
https://earthsky.org/earth/scientists-discover-caterpillars-hear-through-hairs/
Caterpillars Hear Without Ears
https://english.lingkarbumi.com/2026/01/30/caterpillars-hear-without-ears/#google_vignette
Caterpillars don’t have ears, but they can still hear predators
https://www.earth.com/news/caterpillars-dont-have-ears-but-they-can-still-hear-predators/
How These Caterpillars Use Their Body Hair to Listen for Danger
https://nautil.us/how-these-caterpillars-use-their-body-hair-to-listen-for-danger-1265218
These caterpillars can hear using tiny hairs on their bodies
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1114479
Caterpillars Hear Through Tiny Body Hairs
Caterpillars Hear Through Tiny Body Hairs
https://www.miragenews.com/caterpillars-hear-through-tiny-body-hairs-1609732/
These Caterpillars Can Hear Using Tiny Hairs On Their Bodies
https://www.eurasiareview.com/29012026-these-caterpillars-can-hear-using-tiny-hairs-on-their-bodies/
These Caterpillars Can Hear Using Tiny Hairs on Their Bodies
https://www.newswise.com/articles/these-caterpillars-can-hear-using-tiny-hairs-on-their-bodies
Caterpillars hear through tiny body hairs, which could inspire improved microphones
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-caterpillars-tiny-body-hairs-microphones.html
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