A Clever Use of Spines

[riky]

A Clever Use of Spines

Many moths incorporate the setae (hairs) of the caterpillar into the cocoon in some way—often in the form of a weaving them with silk into the protective case around the pupa. But the method used by this [unknown] species takes some serious planning.......... ...Our thanks to Phil Torres, a field biologist based out of the Tambopata Research Center in Peru, for permission to republish You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login. He was You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login earlier this year for Britannica Blog.......

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A circumscribing line of setae around this twig make a difficult wall to pass as an ant. Credit: Phil Torres...

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Note the protective 'walls' of hairs above the forming cocoon. Credit: Phil Torres...

......Many You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login incorporate the setae (hairs) of the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login into the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login in some way—often in the form of a weaving them with silk into the protective case around the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login..........But the method used by this [unidentified] species takes some serious planning..........At the bottom, you get the forming cocoon and pupa, with the caterpillar still inside. But as you go up the twig you find multiple 'walls' constructed out of the caterpillar's hairs all woven together to prevent predators like You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login from climbing down..........The process of making this would have been truly something to watch, as the caterpillar literally takes the hair off its back and carefully weaves them together using the silk gland located just below the mouth..........As I figured out what the hairs were doing, I literally said aloud, to myself, "How are there so many cool things here?!" The You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login never ceases to amaze me with the unique adaptations we find out here every day. Seriously....

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