Static Electricity May Drive Evolution of Treehopper Shapes

Research conducted by scientists at the University of Bristol suggests that the ability of treehopper insects to detect static electricity may explain their unusual body shapes. Published on August 2, 2025 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study presents a hypothesis by Dr. Sam England and Professor Daniel Robert, exploring the potential evolutionary advantages of these distinctive morphologies.

Treehoppers, known for their remarkable diversity, boast over 3,000 species characterized by features such as horns, spines, and tridents. These insects have intrigued naturalists for years, yet the purpose behind their extreme forms has remained elusive. While some explanations—such as camouflage, mimicry, or defense mechanisms—apply to certain species, they do not hold universally across the entire treehopper family.

Building on recent findings that insects like bees and caterpillars possess the ability to sense static electricity, Dr. England and Professor Robert sought to investigate whether treehoppers’ striking body structures could enhance their ability to detect electric fields. The researchers observed that predatory wasps emit static electricity and discovered that treehoppers tend to retreat from electric fields.

Using computational methods, the scientists demonstrated that the unique morphologies of treehoppers amplify the electric field strength surrounding them. This augmentation likely increases their sensitivity to static electricity, which could play a critical role in their survival. Additionally, the team found significant differences in the electrostatic charges of predatory wasps compared to stingless bees, the latter of which often protect treehoppers from threats. This suggests that treehoppers might be able to differentiate between friends and foes solely based on electric signals.

Dr. England remarked, “We think our study provides a really exciting launch pad for investigating static electricity as a driver of organismal morphology more generally.” He noted that many other insects, spiders, and even plants exhibit extreme shapes that remain unexplained. The research marks the first evidence indicating that electrostatic sensitivity could influence morphological evolution, although further confirmation is needed.

Looking ahead, the research team aims to explore how various treehopper shapes adapt to specific electrical environments. Dr. England expressed his curiosity about linking treehopper morphology to particular aspects of their electrical ecology. “If we can connect treehopper shapes to specific predators that approach from certain angles with distinct static charges, this would strongly support our ideas around static electricity as an evolutionary driver.”

This innovative study opens up new avenues for understanding the evolutionary paths of treehoppers and potentially other species, paving the way for further exploration into the role of electroreception in the natural world.