Scientists have discovered that stressed plants scream, and insects hear it

Technologies
BB.LV
Publiation data: 24.02.2026 08:11

Самки моли избегали томатов, которые страдали от обезвоживания и соответственно "звучали".

The team of biologists recorded the ultrasonic 'clicks' of tomatoes.

If you think plants are silent, it’s time to change that perception. A new study from Israel has shown that stressed plants emit ultrasonic distress signals, and insects begin to tune into this hidden communication channel. For agriculture and ecology, this discovery could become a powerful source of information, writes ECONews.

In the study from Tel Aviv University, published in the journal American Friends of Tel Aviv University, female moths avoided tomatoes that were suffering from dehydration and accordingly 'sounded'. The team recorded the ultrasonic 'clicks' of the plants and then played these sounds near healthy tomatoes.

Given a choice, butterflies selected 'quiet' plants for laying their eggs. The scientists interpret this behavior as an attempt to give the larvae a better chance of survival. The researchers also call this the first clear evidence that an animal responds to the sounds produced by a plant.

Tomatoes 'click' from stress

The new study showed that plants emit bursts of ultrasound when they are stressed. When tomatoes or other crops are pruned, deprived of water, or otherwise harmed, they produce short high-frequency sounds that humans cannot hear, but which fall within the perception range of bats and many insects.

The researchers assert that the fact that female moths consistently chose 'quiet' plants over those that 'complained' indicates that insects perceive acoustic information and convert it into practical decisions – where to 'invest' their offspring.

A new tool for ecological farming

It is noted that for agriculture, the idea that plants are constantly 'broadcasting' their state is very important. Previous work has shown that microphones and artificial intelligence can detect and classify sounds from plants related to water deficiency or physical damage even before visible signs of stress appear.

"Farmers could use such early signals to fine-tune irrigation more accurately instead of overwatering 'just in case', which is especially important when every drop of water and every electricity bill counts," the publication states.

Another conclusion from this study is that if insects avoid the acoustic profile of stressed plants, then sound could become a tool to influence pest behavior. According to the scientists, the discovery could contribute to new approaches to crop protection based on sound – alongside existing methods such as habitat management and targeted spraying.

Many experts see this as another way to reduce the mass use of pesticides while maintaining stable yields.