How does a cricket make such a sound by just rubbing its legs together
In: Biology
Did you ever make a comb-kazoo as a kid? Or a tissue box “guitar”? Rub a wet finger on the edge of a glass? On their own, these things are quiet, but put together with their respective components and a noise is created. A small vibrating object, vibrating against trapped air, and you get a loud noise. It’s a bit like tapping on a rock v. tapping on a drum, the drum is loud because trapped air is forced to vibrate a LOT more than the ‘free’ air around the rock.
Crickets have miniatures of these on their bodies. They don’t simply rub their legs together, they rub a spur or comb against a hollow “blister” on their leg or body or wing. The blister resonates MUCH more loudly than the simple rubbing action might imply at first glance.
The result is the loud sound you hear!
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