Happy Spring! Even Plants Have Something to “Say” About Hearing
Happy spring! Let’s kick things off with a round of applause for everyone who remembers to water their plants on schedule — because as it turns out, thirsty plants don’t suffer in silence. They actually scream.
Well, sort of. Researchers have discovered that plants under stress — whether from being cut or going without water — vibrate at ultrasonic frequencies as a natural result of changes in water pressure inside the plant. These sounds are far too high-pitched for the human ear to pick up, but certain insects can hear them just fine. Unfortunately for the plant, being “heard” by a passing bug isn’t quite the same as getting watered.
What makes this especially interesting is new research showing that these ultrasonic distress sounds don’t just exist — they actually influence insect behavior. It’s the first time scientists have documented an acoustic exchange between plants and insects, and researchers believe it’s likely just the tip of the iceberg for what else might be out there waiting to be discovered.
In honor of the vibrant new season, we thought we’d dig into this remarkable hearing fact and what it means.
Do Moths Really Listen to Plants?
The discovery comes from a team at Tel Aviv University, who set out to determine whether insects use the sounds plants make to help guide their decisions. Their subject: the female Egyptian cotton leafworm moth, which lays eggs on plants so her larvae will have something to eat once they hatch.
Earlier research had already shown that these moths tend to favor healthy, hydrated plants over dehydrated ones when choosing where to lay their eggs. But the research team wanted to know whether sound, not just visual or chemical cues, played a part in that decision.
To test it, they set up an experiment using two equally healthy, hydrated tomato plants. The only difference: one had a nearby speaker quietly playing the ultrasonic distress sounds typically made by a dehydrated plant. Given the choice, significantly more moths chose to lay their eggs on the plant without the distress sound playing.
According to the study’s lead author, entomologist and doctoral candidate Rya Seltzer, scientists have long understood that plants release warning scents when they’re under attack from pests or lacking water — signals that can either summon helpful insects or repel harmful ones. What this new research adds is the discovery that sound may serve as an additional layer of communication, offering insects extra information especially in situations where a scent signal is faint or absent. Seltzer noted that the study of plant acoustics is still an emerging field, with potential future applications ranging from monitoring plant stress to informing new approaches in agricultural pest control.
Hearing Well Means Never Missing Life’s Important Sounds
If nothing else, this research is a great reminder that the natural world is a lot noisier — and more interconnected — than we realize. And it highlights something we think about every day here at Magnolia Hearing Aid Center: how much richer life becomes when we’re able to hear the sounds that inform us, warn us, or lead us toward moments we don’t want to miss.
Maybe it’s the sound of a creek leading you toward your favorite quiet spot, the ding of the oven timer letting you know your cookies are ready, or your grandchild’s excited voice asking you to watch their new dance routine. Whatever it is, better hearing helps make life easier, safer, and more fulfilling.
So, as the season turns and the world outside gets a little louder — with birdsong, backyard barbecues, graduations, and more time spent outdoors — why not give yourself a fresh start on better hearing, too? Find out what noises you might be missing. Schedule a hearing consultation with Magnolia Hearing Aid Center today.