Which physical property of light is crucial to the stripe defense mechanism against biting insects?
Answer
Polarized light
Insects use polarized light as a navigational cue to locate hosts. The alternating bands of the zebra coat scatter this polarized light in a complex fashion, muddling the visual signal the insect relies on.
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Related Questions
What is suggested as the primary, or at least a major, function of zebra stripes according to recent scientific work?How do the stripes specifically confuse insects during their final approach to landing?Which physical property of light is crucial to the stripe defense mechanism against biting insects?According to research comparing different stripe widths on artificial surfaces, what characteristic proved most successful at limiting fly bites?Which family of biting insects, known vectors for trypanosomiasis, are actively deterred by the stripes?When flies target a potential host, what visual cue do they typically lock onto before the zebra's pattern interferes?How do the black and white stripes interact regarding polarized light?What method provided scientific confirmation that the stripes caused a causal effect on landing behavior?What evolutionary trade-off is suggested regarding the zebra's highly visible stripe pattern?Compared to zebras, what difference in fly harassment is often noticeable among similarly sized ungulates sharing their habitat?