Sensory relationships of moths and bats sampled from two Nearctic sites

Authors:
  • JFJames H. Fullard
    James H. Fullard
  • MFM. Brock Fenton
    M. Brock Fenton
  • CFCaren L. Furlonger
    Caren L. Furlonger
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Abstract
The auditory sensitivity characteristics of moths sampled in southeastern Ontario and south-central British Columbia were compared in four separate bandwidths from 5 kHz to 110 kHz. British Columbian moths exhibit a significantly greater sensitivity to frequencies from 30 kHz to 75 kHz (midrange) then do their Ontario counterparts. Measurements taken of echolocating bats at both these sites reveal a greater diversity of acoustic frequencies emitted by British Columbia bats and we suggest sympatric moths have responded to this increased predation pressure by selectively maximizing their frequency sensitivity pertinent to the bats they are exposed to. The possibility exists that the low frequency British Columbia bat, Euderma maculatum, may be foraging on moths as a result of its echolocation signals for which sympatric moths show no particular sensitivity.

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