Bats zero in on their prey by emitting sound waves and analyzing the returning echoes, using this type of biological sonar to track down dinner and find their way around. Many insects have developed an ear for these sounds, recognizing them as a prompt to seek shelter, but deaf moths are obviously oblivious to these warning signs. This led researchers at the University of Bristol to wonder what evasive methods they may be using instead.

The team used an imaging technique called scanning electron microscopy to observe the thorax scales on the bodies of four deaf moth species in fine detail. In doing so, they noticed that they closely resembled the structures of fibers used in sound insulation materials, indicating that some kind of noise-cancelling trickery could be at play.

“We were amazed to see that these extraordinary insects were able to achieve the same levels of sound absorption as commercially available technical sound absorbers, whilst at the same time being much thinner and lighter,” said Dr Thomas Neil, lead author of the study. ”We are now looking at ways in which we can use these biological systems to inspire new solutions to sound insulating technology and analyze the scaling on a moth’s wing to explore whether they too have sound absorbing properties.”

https://newatlas.com/biology/moths-noise-cancelling-bats/