Many insects “hear” through special organs called tympanal organs, which are similar to our eardrums. These organs are usually found on their legs. For years, we believed that female stinkbugs from the Dinidoridae family had tympanal organs on their hind legs. Scientists thought they might use these to listen to male courtship calls.
Recently, a team of Japanese researchers took a closer look at the stinkbug species Megymenum gracilicorne. They expected to find tympanal organs but discovered something surprising. Instead of eardrums, the insects had mobile fungal nurseries. This was a first in scientific study!
The Dinidoridae family is small and lives only in Asia. Compared to bigger families like Pentatomidae, they haven’t received much research attention. Takema Fukatsu, an evolutionary biologist, noted that earlier studies classified the hind leg structures as tympanal organs based on look alone. “Previous research was mostly about taxonomy and appearance, not function,” he said.
Fukatsu’s team initially aimed to find out how the unusual location of these organs affected the stinkbugs’ hearing. But as they investigated, they revealed that these organs were not for hearing at all. “We found no tympanal membrane or sensory neurons. Instead, we discovered thousands of tiny pores filled with harmless fungi,” he explained. These pores seemed to help the fungi thrive by releasing nutrients.
This finding raises interesting questions about the role of fungi in ecosystems. Fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and can support insect health in ways we’re just beginning to understand. In fact, a 2021 study highlighted how certain fungi can help insects resist environmental stressors, showing a fascinating interdependence in nature.
As we explore more about insects, it’s clear they have unique adaptations that often go unnoticed. This research shows that what we may first think of as one thing could lead to surprising insights about nature and relationships in ecosystems.
