Two females very similar to Prophalangopsis obscura were captured in Tibet in 2009, but correlation was not possible due to lack of data. Now scientists are trying to find new representatives of this species, and for this they use a very unusual approach.

What did scientists invent

Science knows almost nothing about P. Obscura. British scientists decided to apply the technology with the help of modern equipment. made a 3D scan of the insect’s wings and created digital models. The thing is, grasshoppers make noise by rubbing their paws on their wings. Therefore, with the help of the model, the scientists were able to synthesize the sounds that P. obscura makes to attract mating partners.

It turned out that the “song” of P. Obscura sounds at a frequency of 4.7 kilohertz. This sound is very low and therefore spreads over considerable distances.

Listen to the sound of the rare insect Prophalangopsis obscura: video

P. obscura has fairly wide wings, so it can easily fly long distances. However, this makes it an extremely viable and visible target for bats. At the same time, scientists have evidence that the insect has existed since the Jurassic period. Therefore, researchers ponder how it survived all this time. A hypothesis P. obscura has adapted to life in the highlands, where it is too cold for bats.. At the same time, it is spacious, which is convenient for travel.

Scientists chose the likely habitat – Tibet and northern India. They will place acoustic baits that play the sounds of these insects to find possible viviparous individuals and better examine them.