Jim Tibensky asked: >>>> Question: How does the mosquito evolve to have the behavior of >>>> avoiding a sound that precedes their death? <<<< I won't go into the physics of it all .. but it has nothing to do with sound - except as it relates to 'waves'. The mosquito and all other insects have sensory organs that sense MOVEMENT about them. Since movement generates sound waves and motion waves .. the insect is attune to these types of waves: even more so than light. Every wonder why a fly won't react to a shadow that would cause a trout to scurry for cover ??? So - when you 'swat' at a mosquito .. your movement generates 'wind' and long before your 'swat hit's the mark it is sensed. And, in addition to this, if you're 'swatting your own body' .. the muscle response of one part of your body moving toward another part - generates tremendous telegraphic signals to the mosquito through the sensors in its feet. For this reason .. a common ploy used in killing the little beasties .. is to wait until they've imbedded their proboscis into your body .. slowy flex (apply tension) the muscles of the area .. trapping the critter for a moments assistance in successfully squashing it to smithereens! ": ) As to how they evolved this ... well, I don't personally buy the whole evolution bit so I'll steer clear on that one ... but I'd say this .. they are too darned good at 'stealth flight and attach' .. "; ) Fun on the water .. when it's NOT in full flood stage: minimal paddling here in the midwest for better part of past 2 months. ": ( les -------------------------------------------------------------------- J. Leslie Booth Managing Editor Arthur O'fieldstream's OUTDOOR JOURNAL editor_at_ofieldstream.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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