Buckling-induced sound production in the aeroelastic tymbals of Yponomeuta

The loss of elastic stability (buckling) can lead to catastrophic failure in the context of traditional engineering structures. Conversely, in nature, buckling often serves a desirable function, such as in the prey-trapping mechanism of the Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula). This paper investigates the buckling-enabled sound production in the wingbeat-powered (aeroelastic) tymbals of Yponomeuta moths. The hindwings of Yponomeuta possess a striated band of ridges that snap through sequentially during the up- and downstroke of the wingbeat cycle—a process reminiscent of cellular buckling in compressed slender shells. As a result, bursts of ultrasonic clicks are produced that deter predators (i.e. bats). Using various biological and mechanical characterisation techniques, we show that wing camber changes during the wingbeat cycle act as the single actuation mechanism that causes buckling to propagate sequentially through each stria on the tymbal. The snap-through of each stria excites a bald patch of the wing's membrane, thereby amplifying sound pressure levels and radiating sound at the resonant frequencies of the patch. In addition, the interaction of phased tymbal clicks from the two wings enhances the directivity of the acoustic signal strength, suggesting an improvement in acoustic protection. These findings unveil the acousto-mechanics of Yponomeuta tymbals for the first time and uncover their buckling-driven evolutionary origin. We anticipate that through bioinspiration, aeroelastic tymbals will encourage novel developments in the context of multi-stable morphing structures, acoustic structural monitoring and soft robotics.