Grasshoppers have evolved to be heard over traffic noise
Grasshoppers evolve a sound that allows them to be heard over traffic
While humans might not be making too much noise in the oceans, above ground it's a whole different story. In fact, even insects are having to adapt to the huge amount of noise pollution created by humans — grasshoppers are having to up the volume to be heard over traffic.
That's according to German researchers, who compared the mating sounds of male bow-winged grasshoppers between those captured near busy roads, and those from the quiet countryside.
Lo and behold, the grasshoppers that live near roads made a substantially different song to those from quiet locations, significantly boosting the low frequency component of their mating call. The researchers theorize the change is to be heard over the background roar of traffic.
