Saturday, January 10, 2009

Do - Re - Mi - Ski - Tow

I read a most interesting scientific study today on the musical matchmaking of mosquitoes. Long have bug scientists suspected male mosquitoes capable of audibly locating their future mates - usually talking on the phone - however recent findings suggest the siren call is but a prelude to their romantic endeavors. The beating of the female's wings produces a fundamental tone around 400Hz whereas the male sings a little higher at 600Hz. These tones do not begin to set the mood until they come within close proximity and - yes you guessed it music major geeks! - a harmonic overtone will resonate, which just happens to be love potion No. 1200Hz signaling Arthropod "go time." This higher frequency, thought to reside beyond the mosquitoes audible radar, is likened unto the whisperings of sweet nothings. Moral of the study: don't stop humming, you just might find Mr./Mrs. Right, or an over-sized mosquito...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Where do you find this stuff? Your growin' some serious syntax skills

Anonymous said...

Brilliant play on solfege title!

Jane said...

You're so funny - I want to subscribe to the magazines you read.