Like our eardrum, the flagellum receives sound and vibrates. These vibrations are transmitted to the Johnston's organ at the base of the antenna, activating the neurons within it. (WPI-ITbM via SWNS)
Visualization of the afferent and efferent neuron networks in mosquitoes. Graphic adapted from the original study published in PLOS Biology. (Loh et al., PLOS Biology (2026) via SWNS)
The fruitless gene in mosquitoes engenders attributes necessary for males to locate females by listening for their wingbeat sound. Mutating this gene in males impairs their hearing and their ability to locate and mate with females. (Yoko Sasayama via SWNS)
Male mosquitoes form swarms and wait for females to arrive. When a female approaches, males detect her wingbeat sounds, approach and court her, then ultimately mate with her. Wingbeat frequencies differ between males and females: approximately 750 Hz in male Aedes aegypti and 450 Hz in females. Graphic adapted from the original study published in PLOS Biology. (Loh et al., PLOS Biology (2026) via SWNS)
Like our eardrum, the flagellum receives sound and vibrates. These vibrations are transmitted to the Johnston's organ at the base of the antenna, activating the neurons within it. (WPI-ITbM via SWNS)
Visualization of the afferent and efferent neuron networks in mosquitoes. Graphic adapted from the original study published in PLOS Biology. (Loh et al., PLOS Biology (2026) via SWNS)
The fruitless gene in mosquitoes engenders attributes necessary for males to locate females by listening for their wingbeat sound. Mutating this gene in males impairs their hearing and their ability to locate and mate with females. (Yoko Sasayama via SWNS)
Male mosquitoes form swarms and wait for females to arrive. When a female approaches, males detect her wingbeat sounds, approach and court her, then ultimately mate with her. Wingbeat frequencies differ between males and females: approximately 750 Hz in male Aedes aegypti and 450 Hz in females. Graphic adapted from the original study published in PLOS Biology. (Loh et al., PLOS Biology (2026) via SWNS)
