Bone Collector Caterpillars Use Corpses for Camouflage

Fast Summary

• Researchers have identified a new species of caterpillar native to Hawaii, nicknamed the “bone collector,” due to its unique behavior of covering its body with dead insect parts scavenged from spiderwebs.
• The findings were based on 17 years of observations and published in Science.
• The bone collector caterpillars camouflage themselves within spiderweb debris to avoid becoming prey while also feeding on leftovers from spiders’ meals. This behavior represents an adaptation to exploit an unoccupied ecological niche.
• These caterpillars belong to the Hawaiian genus Hyposmocoma, known for unusual traits, including carnivory and aquatic lifestyles under streams.
• Adult forms lay eggs in webs; newly hatched larvae utilize insect remnants for sustenance and protection,showcasing evolution’s creativity in adapting species to specific environments.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The revelation highlights the breadth of biological adaptation observable even in isolated ecosystems such as Hawaii’s islands, underscoring how evolution maximizes limited resources for survival strategies. For India, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats or Himalayan regions where similarly unique adaptations might remain undiscovered due to environmental degradation or insufficient research investment. Prioritizing conservation efforts alongside scientific exploration can yield insights with global implications for understanding evolutionary biology-perhaps fostering international collaboration between Indian scientists and institutions investigating ecosystem-specific phenomena like those found in Hawaii.

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