Trichobothria

Trichobothria (singular trichobothrium) are elongate setae ("hairs") present in arachnids, various orders of insects, and myriapods that function in the detection of airborne vibrations and currents, and electrical charge.

[1] In 1883, Friedrich Dahl observed that they were deflected by the sound waves from a violin and labelled them 'hearing hairs'.

They fit into the bottom of a broad and deep cup to which connects a membrane with extreme flexibility which adds an extraordinary mobility to them.

The least air vibration is able to get them moving and to excite the small group of sensory cells which ensures their innervation.

Although the distribution of trichobothria on the bodies of arachnids is often used by systematists[3] (especially in Scorpiones and Pseudoscorpiones), few interordinal patterns are apparent (Shultz, 1990).