Why Do Mosquitoes Make Sounds?

Using a buzzing mechanism, mosquitoes produce a number of different sound effects that may serve as an effective communication mechanism. These sounds have the potential to prevent disease and improve surveillance of the insect population.

In particular, a mosquito’s “flight tone” is a buzzing noise generated by the wings of the insect while flying. The wing flaps at a rate of over 1000 times per second.

There’s also an organ located at the base of the wings which detects and records the vibrations produced by air particles. The organ is named the Johnston organ after Dr. Christopher Johnston, the researcher who first described the organ.

Other insects such as flies, wasps and bumblebees produce similar noises. However, flies produce less of a buzz than mosquitoes and their buzzing mechanisms are less elaborate.

In fact, all insects make buzzing sounds, but the female mosquito in particular makes the most significant one. The mosquito’s ‘flight tones’ are not only important for communication, but they also help the insect mate.

Interestingly, male and female mosquitoes produce the same flight tones, but with a different pitch. The difference is that the female mosquito produces the one that can be heard by humans.

While the male mosquito’s flight tones are not always obvious, the best way to detect the female insect is to listen for her buzzing noise.

This particular buzzing motion is the most important, since it alerts the male to his female’s presence. If the female fails to do this, she will not be able to mate with the male.

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