Presentation Summary

Sexual communication in bugs and insects is fundamental to their survival. While there are many ways to communicate (e.g., visually or with pheromones), sound and vibration is one of the earlier, more fundamental ways insects find mates.

In this Wildlife Wednesday presentation, Dr. Shira Gordon shares some of her research about insect communication. She discusses research projects spanning her career as a scientist. She will explain how leaf hoppers use vibrations to talk to each other. Within this framework, farmers could play their calls back to them to control them on grapevines—in a pesticide-free method. She will share how her work studying insect ear mechanics and neurobiology connects to engineers making miniature microphones. If an insect can hear with a 1-mm-sized ear, shouldn’t we have better cell phone microphones? Finally, she will discuss the importance of having correct communication as a spider. If spiders do not signal mate, they could easily become a meal.

Presenter Bio

Dr. Shira Gordon is a new lecturer for CWS. She spent over 15 years research different types of insects and spiders. Shira’s passion for insects started when she was a small child. She has studied more than a half-dozen insect and spider systems. Throughout her academic career, she was a member of 8 laboratories, publishing 20 peer-reviewed articles, and one book chapter.

In 2018, she left research to pursue science communication. She writes in a variety of formats, produces videos, and works to help translate a myriad of health and science topics to wider audiences. As a science communicator, she has taught General Entomology and Agricultural Entomology at California State University, Fresno, and Monterey Bay. She is excited to bring Entomology as a course offering to CWS students.

Wildlife Wednesday -- Sex, Bugs, and Rock n' Roll