Buried 0 #1 July 22, 2005 I'd be cute and dangerous http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4707137.stm QuoteKiller caterpillar stalks snails Scientists have discovered a tiny caterpillar in Hawaii, which binds snails with silk webbing before devouring them whole. The caterpillars start munching at the wide opening of the helpless snail's shell and continue until there is nothing left, Science magazine reports. These killers are a first because scientists have never before witnessed a caterpillar eating a snail. The researchers want to know why these strange creatures live only in Hawaii. "Caterpillars and terrestrial snails co-occur widely on all the continents where they are present, but only in Hawaii have caterpillars evolved to hunt snails," Daniel Rubinoff and William Haines, from the University of Hawaii, wrote. Why Hawaii? The caterpillars of the newly discovered species Hyposmocoma molluscivora are the first to be seen using silk to paralyse their prey. "Although all caterpillars have silk glands, this predatory caterpillar uses silk in a spider-like fashion to capture and immobilise prey," Dr Rubinoff and Haines wrote. When it comes across a suitable snail, the juvenile moth will spin a web anchoring the snail's shell to the leaf it is sitting on. The larva then stretches its body out of its own silk jacket and pursues the retreating snail to the end of its shell, where there is no escape. Scientists are curious to notice that this unique predatory behaviour seems to occur nowhere else on Earth. Since the Hawaiian islands are the most remote place in the world, scientists are tempted to conclude that isolation is a key factor in the development of unusual hunting strategies, although it is not quite clear why. "Specialised predatory behaviour by lepidopteron larvae, an extremely rare phenomenon worldwide, has independently arisen at least twice in Hawaii," Dr Haines and Rubinoff wrote. "[This] provides fresh evidence for the importance of isolation in the evolution of novel traits." Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #2 July 22, 2005 The thing in that picture doesn't look very "cute" though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #3 July 22, 2005 He looks like a stick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #4 July 22, 2005 you look like a stick* *since the caterpillar is not here to defend himself. I'm sure he come back with said phrase Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #5 July 22, 2005 QuoteThe thing in that picture doesn't look very "cute" though. dont be jealous Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #6 July 22, 2005 ROFLMAO. You know what'd be weird? If my most recent premonition came true! I just had a premonition that someday these caterpillars will bind the entire human population in silk and eat them. There'll be no escape . . . the caterpillars are gonna disable all forms of air and sea travel prior to munching. SCARY! Edit: Sorry, I meant the entire human pop. in Hawaii. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #7 July 22, 2005 QuoteROFLMAO. You know what'd be weird? If my most recent premonition came true! I just had a premonition that someday these caterpillars will bind the entire human population in silk and eat them. There'll be no escape . . . the caterpillars are gonna disable all forms of air and sea travel prior to munching. SCARY! Edit: Sorry, I meant the entire human pop. in Hawaii. Peyote isn't it awesome? "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #8 July 22, 2005 I can't help it, it's soooo cute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #9 July 22, 2005 Quoteyou look like a stick* Your mom looks like a stick. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #10 July 22, 2005 QuoteQuoteyou look like a stick* Your mom looks like a stick. well my brother is pinocchio.. Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zep 0 #11 July 22, 2005 He he he, Lets introduce them to France, Snail eating caterpillar this is France............ ENJOY Gone fishing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buried 0 #12 July 22, 2005 Quote He he he, Lets introduce them to France, Snail eating caterpillar this is France............ ENJOY now we just need something for those frogs Where is my fizzy-lifting drink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #13 July 22, 2005 QuoteKiller caterpillar stalks snails I challenge any of you to say "stalks snails" three times fast."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca 0 #14 July 22, 2005 QuoteQuoteKiller caterpillar stalks snails I challenge any of you to say "stalks snails" three times fast. Stalks snails! Snalk stails! Snalks tails! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
