What specific sound frequencies does the auditory system of Galleria mellonella detect?

Answer

Ultrasonic frequencies used by bats for echolocation

The Greater Wax Moth, *Galleria mellonella*, exhibits an extraordinary evolutionary adaptation in its hearing capability, representing the most sensitive ears documented in the insect world to date. These specialized tympanal organs are finely tuned to perceive ultrasonic frequencies. The specific threat these organs counter are the very sounds generated by bats utilizing echolocation to navigate and target prey during nocturnal hunts. By detecting these high-frequency sounds at remarkably low intensities, the moth gains critical reaction time, allowing it to execute evasive maneuvers such as dropping out of the air before the incoming predator can secure a strike. This hypersensitivity is a direct result of intense, high-stakes co-evolutionary pressure exerted by these aerial predators in natural environments.

What specific sound frequencies does the auditory system of Galleria mellonella detect?

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