This brucus of bone collection eats captured insects and uses parts of your body
A carnivorous caterpillar I just discovered that I saw that the remains of his prey have been nicknamed “Bone Collector”. This strange insect is found only on the Hawaiian island by Oahu. Striscia through the cobwebs, feeds on trapped insects and decorating its silk coverage with parts of its bodies.
The macabre nature costume
There are other carnivorous caterpillars That “do many follies, but it takes the palm,” says the author of the study, Dan Rubinoff, of the University of Hawaii by Manaa. Scientists believe that the “cemetery” of their back can act as a camouflage, allowing the caterpillar Give a party with the food trapped by the spider without being trapped.
A series of native caterpillars Hawai They use silk glands for texture of protective covers stored with lichens, sand and other materials. However, this is the first one who uses the wings of Formica and Moscow. “It is really a surprising type of coverage “Steven Montgomery, an entomology consultant in Hawaii, said he had not participated in the new study.
This old species can be threatened
The results were published on Thursday in the magazine “Science”. Scientists found only 62 of these caterpillars Carnivore in over 20 years of observation. Predatory caterpillars are extremely rare and bone collectors found in Hawaii are also eaten each other, according to researchers.
The origins of bone collectors date back to at least six million years, which makes them older caterpillars than the same Hawaiian islands. At the moment, he lives on an isolated forest plot of mountainnext to invasive species. “There is really concern We must improve conservation“Rubinoff said.
Small discoveries with great implications
Although this caterpillar may seem an atypical case, it is part of a world much more Large biodiversity of insects That scientists are starting to understand. Recent studies suggest that the land hosts some 20 Azzle Quattro -Mordi, 2.5 million ants for every human being, who together exceed all wild birds and mammals together.
Despite their abundance, insects remain aBlind point in research of biodiversity. Many species go unnoticed, they are not studied or not documented, Especially in remote ecosystems like Hawaii. But they are also vital for environmental well -being.
Insects perform essential roles in pollinationdecomposition and control of parasites. They are also becoming indicators of the health of ecosystems and even sources of innovation. From the mushrooms that turn the flies of the fruit In the zombies with carnivorous caterpillars, these creatures can provide information on evolution or ecological resistance.
When it comes to it again Strange species such as the bone collectorIt is clear that the smallest inhabitants of the world can bring some of their greatest scientific surprises.
