Can insects make sounds?

In the Animal World
BB.LV
Publiation data: 17.02.2026 09:52
Can insects make sounds?

In a certain sense — yes.

 

As of today, scientists know about 1 million species of insects. Of these, approximately 10,000 are capable of producing various sounds. However, insects lack a vocal apparatus, and they produce sounds by rubbing one part of their body against another.

A special "speech" organ is found only in the Death's-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos, in the photo). This butterfly, unlike most insects, does not remain silent when disturbed but begins to squeak. The sound it produces occurs when air is sucked into the esophagus — as a result, a thin chitinous membrane located on the inner surface of the butterfly's upper lip begins to vibrate.

ALSO IN CATEGORY

READ ALSO