Nature's 3D Printer: MIND BLOWING Cocoon in Rainforest - Smarter Every Day 94

TL;DR

The Urodid moth’s unusual cocoon has large holes so heavy rainforest rain can pass through instead of collecting and drowning the pupa. Hanging almost a foot below a leaf may also protect it from ants, while a possible escape shaft at the bottom gives the emerging moth a way out. Read on to see how this structure differs from ordinary cocoons and uncovered pupae.

Transcript

[music] Hey it's me Destin, welcome back to Smarter Every Day. So we just got off this boat and we're gonna walk for about an hour in the jungle to find a moth pupa. OK Phil just found it. So what are we looking at here? (Phil) This here is the pupa of a moth called a Urodid Moth. Now the moth itself isn't that special looking but this pupa here, i... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦣 Moth pupae have unique cocoon structures and strategies to protect themselves from predators.
• 🦣 Differences exist between cocoons and chrysalises, with cocoons being the protective covering spun around the pupa by some moths.
• 🕳️ The holes in certain cocoons serve an important purpose of preventing drowning of the pupae.
• 💦 Pupae need air to breathe, and surrounding them with water can be fatal.
• 💯 Butterfly farming is a fascinating industry that involves shipping hundreds of butterflies to various locations each week.
• 🦋 Different butterfly species have distinct pupal coverings.
• 🌎 Moth pupae can be found in various parts of the world, including the Amazon rainforest and North America.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the Urodid moth’s cocoon have holes?

The large holes allow heavy rain to pass through the cocoon instead of filling it with water. Because the pupa breathes and needs air, trapped water could drown it.

Q: Why does the Urodid moth’s cocoon hang below a leaf?

Unlike moths that hide inside strongly woven silk, the Urodid moth’s pupa dangles almost a foot below a leaf. The transcript suggests that this hanging position probably protects it from ants more than anything else.

Q: How does the adult moth escape from the hanging cocoon?

The bottom of the cocoon looks like a small escape shaft. The speakers say it is possible that the adult moth exits by moving straight down through that opening.

Q: What is the difference between a cocoon and a pupa?

The pupa is the developing insect inside. A cocoon is the protective covering that some moth pupae spin around themselves, as shown by the Luna moth cocoon.

Q: Do all butterfly and moth pupae have cocoons?

No. The Luna moth spins a cocoon around its pupa, while the spicebush swallowtail has an exposed pupa without a cocoon.

Q: Do moth pupae need air to breathe?

Yes, pupae breathe like other living animals and need air. If a tightly woven hanging cocoon filled with rainwater, the enclosed pupa could drown.

Q: Where can the Urodid moth’s unusual cocoon be found?

The featured cocoon was found after about an hour of walking through the Amazon rainforest. The transcript also says these moths can be found in North America if you are lucky.

Q: How does the Alabama butterfly farmer ship and sell butterflies?

John packs butterflies in containers with padding and layers. Most go to zoos and botanical gardens around the country, and his average orders are about 100 butterflies a week.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Moth pupae, specifically the Urodid Moth, have an interesting cocoon structure where the pupa hangs almost a foot down from a leaf instead of hiding it in a silken cocoon like most moths.

• The cocoons have holes to allow rainwater to pass through, preventing drowning of the pupa.

• Butterfly farmers like John ship hundreds of butterflies each week, with different species having different pupal coverings.