Treehopper Research Links Static Electricity to Body Shape Evolution

A recent study suggests that treehoppers, a diverse group of insects, may have evolved their unusual body shapes in response to their ability to detect static electricity. The research, published on August 2, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by Dr. Sam England and Professor Daniel Robert from the University of Bristol.

Treehoppers are known for their remarkable morphological diversity, with over 3,000 species exhibiting a wide range of shapes, including horns, spines, and tridents. Despite their curious appearances, the exact functions of these bizarre forms have long puzzled scientists. While certain theories, such as camouflage and mimicry, apply to specific species, they do not account for the entire family.

In their research, Dr. England and Professor Robert explored whether the extreme body shapes of treehoppers enhance their ability to sense static electricity. They based their hypothesis on prior findings indicating that other insects, such as bees and caterpillars, possess the capability to detect electric fields.

The team discovered that predatory wasps produce static electricity, prompting treehoppers to retreat from electric fields. Utilizing computational methods, they demonstrated that the unique morphologies of treehoppers amplify the electric field strength surrounding them, potentially increasing their sensitivity to static electricity.

In a significant finding, the researchers noted that predatory wasps exhibit different electrostatic charges compared to the friendly stingless bees that often protect treehoppers. This distinction suggests that treehoppers can differentiate between allies and threats based solely on electrical signals, supporting the idea that their electroreception is an adaptive trait.

Dr. England remarked, “Our study provides a really exciting launch pad for investigating static electricity as a driver of organismal morphology more generally.” He emphasized that this research opens avenues to explore how other insects and animals with extreme shapes may also be influenced by their electrical environments.

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate how varying treehopper morphologies may adapt to different electrical contexts. Dr. England added, “If we can link treehopper shapes to specific aspects of their electrical ecology, this would strongly support our ideas around static electricity as an evolutionary driver.”

This groundbreaking study not only sheds light on the evolutionary biology of treehoppers but also invites further exploration of the role of electroreception in shaping the forms of other organisms.

For more information, refer to Sam J. England et al, “Electroreception in treehoppers: How extreme morphologies can increase electrical sensitivity,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2505253122.