Rhythm of sounds produced by larvae of the oriental hornet Vespa orientalis: spectral analysis.

In the hornet nest of the species Vespa orientalis, there is transmission of information by acoustic means between the larvae and the adults. The rhythmic pattern of the sounds produced by the larvae was recorded and spectrally analyzed for rhythm frequencies by use of the Fast Fourier Transform. The frequency of the "larval activity duration till cessation" was 0.018 Hz whereas the interval between two successive sound productions ranged from 0 to 1.0 Hz. The possible significance of precise signaling by the larvae towards efficient communication in colonies of social insects is discussed.