Prey can detect predators via electroreception in air

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2024 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 176

The authors report that predatory wasps are electrically charged and emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Caterpillar mechanosensory setae were deflected by electrostatic forces and were tuned to the win…

Study snapshot

PublicationProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2024

Study typeother

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Prey can detect predators via electroreception in air England SJ, Robert D. Prey can detect predators via electroreception in air. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 024 Jun 4;121(23):e2322674121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2322674121. Abstract Predators and prey benefit from detecting sensory cues of each other's presence. As they move through their environment, terrestrial animals accumulate electrostatic charge. Because electric charges exert forces at a distance, a prey animal could conceivably sense electrical forces to detect an approaching predator. Here, we report such a case of a terrestrial animal detecting its predators by electroreception. We show that predatory wasps are charged, thus emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Furthermore, the mechanosensory setae of caterpillars are deflected by these electrostatic forces and are tuned to the wingbeat frequency of their insect predators. This ability unveils a dimension of the sensory interactions between prey and predators and is likely widespread among terrestrial animals. Open access paper: pnas.org

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionunclear

Populationcaterpillars (prey) and predatory wasps (predators)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

presence of electrostatic charge on predatory wasps
caterpillar defensive behavioral responses to electric fields
deflection of caterpillar mechanosensory setae by electrostatic forces
tuning of setae response to predator wingbeat frequency

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Study design details and quantitative effect sizes not provided in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure characteristics (field strength, distance, duration) not specified in provided abstract/metadata

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "electrostatic charge/electric fields from predatory wasps",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "caterpillars (prey) and predatory wasps (predators)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "presence of electrostatic charge on predatory wasps",
    "caterpillar defensive behavioral responses to electric fields",
    "deflection of caterpillar mechanosensory setae by electrostatic forces",
    "tuning of setae response to predator wingbeat frequency"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The authors report that predatory wasps are electrically charged and emit electric fields, and that caterpillars respond to such fields with defensive behaviors. Caterpillar mechanosensory setae were deflected by electrostatic forces and were tuned to the wingbeat frequency of insect predators.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Study design details and quantitative effect sizes not provided in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure characteristics (field strength, distance, duration) not specified in provided abstract/metadata"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electroreception",
    "electrostatic charge",
    "electric fields",
    "predator detection",
    "caterpillars",
    "wasps",
    "mechanosensory setae",
    "wingbeat frequency",
    "terrestrial animals"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2322674121
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

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