Katydids had the earliest known insect ears 160 million years ago

Fossils of the insect’s ears from the Jurassic Period look identical to today’s

A close up photo of a fossilized male katydid

This fossilized male katydid from China is one of 24 well-preserved specimens that reveal the earliest known insect ears, dating from around 160 million years ago.

Bo Wang

Over 100 million years ago, the chirps of insects known as katydids dominated the sounds of Earth’s nights.