Scientists reconstruct Jurassic insect sounds using fossilized wing structures

Researchers have successfully reconstructed the sounds of Jurassic-era insects by analyzing fossilized wing structures. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focuses on nine extinct species of the order Orthoptera, which includes ancestors of modern crickets and grasshoppers.

By examining extremely well-preserved fossils from the Middle Jurassic period in Inner Mongolia, China, scientists identified the microscopic teeth and ridges used for stridulation—the process of rubbing wing structures together to create sound. Using simulations, AI-assisted evaluations, and evolutionary family trees, the team was able to determine the specific pitch, rhythm, and frequency of these ancient mating calls.

The findings reveal a diverse prehistoric soundscape, with some species producing low-pitched sounds similar to modern crickets and others producing higher frequencies akin to leafhoppers. This research represents the oldest evidence of sound ever reproduced through fossil analysis.