#micronectidae

[every-day-creechur]

Lesser Water Boatman Micronecta scholtzi

They are some 2 mm long and are common in freshwater ponds and lakes across Europe, preferring stagnant to moderately moving water. The male of this species produces its underwater courtship song by rubbing a ridge on its penis across corrugations on its abdomen. A team of biologists and sound engineers from France and Scotland have recorded M. scholtzi producing sound up to 99.2 decibels, a volume comparable to a passing freight train. It is classified by Guinness World Records as the loudest penis.

This species is considered the loudest of all animals for its size. Despite knowing the mechanism of its sound production, researchers are still mystified by the volume produced and feel that once the process is understood, it could open up a useful avenue in ultrasonics.

img by ExaVolt

[drhoz]

#3378 - Micronecta sp. - Pygmy Water Boatmen

A genus of aquatic predatory bugs in the family Micronectidae, who used to be a subfamily of the Corixidae.

The genus' main claim to fame is the stridulatory courtship song of Micronecta scholtzi . Which they sing with their penis. The relevant part is narrower than a human hair. The song still reachs almost 100 decibels.

Scientists are still baffled that they can make such incredible noise with such a tiny organ, which just goes to show that scientists can be very cruel.

Herdsman Lake, Perth.

[drhoz]

The water boatman's amazing sound has just recently been quantified. The work was done by researchers in Scotland and France, including Doctor James Windmill, who is at pains to convey how impressed he is with the water boatman. The insect is only about 2 millimeters long, and researchers stress that the "area producing the noise" is only about the size of the width of a human hair. Dr. Windmill says, "We really don't know how they make such a loud sound using such a small area," proving, once and for all, that scientists can be both very impressed and very cruel at the same time.

Esther Inglis-Arkell, on the Water Boatman's Earpiercing Penis