Listener Extra: Serenaded by the Songs of Insects

Preaching from a Tiny Choir

Many of the sounds in this season of Threshold were graciously shared by scientists and amateur recordists, people who dedicate enormous time and effort to capturing the richness of life on earth on tape.

Wil Hershberger is one such prolific recordist, and his website, songsofinsects.com, gave us endless delight as we worked on Episode 5: “Common Sense.” Not only are his recordings crisp, clear, and with detailed spectrograms, but his written descriptions are a joy to read—often straightforward and helpful, but sometimes sprinkled with wry bits of commentary that make us feel closer to even the most bland-looking bug (sorry, Modest Katydid).  

Here are a few of the star performers from Episode 5, as recorded and described by Hershberger:

Slow-tinkling Trig (Anaxipha tinnulenta)

Wil writes:

“The song is pleasant and mesmerizing. Listening to a chorus of singing insects that includes the slow, steady beat of Slow-tinkling Trigs can be very soothing and relaxing.”

Confused Ground Cricket (Eunemobius confusus)

Wil writes:

“Certainly one of the most handsome of its group … The best method for capturing these tiny and fast crickets is to locate a singing male, scoop up a large armful of leaf litter, and toss it onto a light-colored sheet spread out nearby. Sift through this tangle, and the singer will no doubt be revealed, usually hiding under the last piece of material to be removed.” 

Note: This species got its name not because the cricket was confused, but because the entomologist who discovered it was confused.

Slightly Musical Conehead (Neoconocephalus exiliscanorus)

Wil writes:

“A spirited series of bright raspy buzzes that have a ‘slightly musical’ quality, at least when compared to other conehead songs: zee-zee-zee-zee-zee . . . All of the males in a particular area sing in unison, creating a hypnotic nocturne that is pleasing to the ear.”

Visit songsofinsects.com for more wonders from the six-legged kingdom, including an excellent crash course in identifying insects by their song. 

 
 

All photo credits:

Wil Hershberger

 
Amy Martin