Nature's 3D Printer: MIND BLOWING Cocoon in Rainforest - Smarter Every Day 94 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Moth pupae have unique strategies to protect themselves, such as building cocoons with holes to avoid drowning, and can be found in different parts of the world including the Amazon rainforest and North America.

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.

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

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the Urodid Moth pupa hang its cocoon instead of hiding it like other moths?

The Urodid Moth pupa's hanging cocoon strategy is believed to protect it from predators like ants more effectively than hiding in a silken cocoon.

Q: Why do some cocoons have holes in them?

Cocoons with holes have this feature to prevent the accumulation of water during rain, which could potentially drown the pupa. The holes allow the rainwater to pass through, keeping the pupa safe.

Q: Do pupae need air?

Yes, pupae, like any other living animal, need air to breathe. Surrounding the pupa with water, such as filling up the cocoon with rain, can lead to the drowning of the pupa.

Q: How do butterfly farmers sell butterflies?

Butterfly farmers like John typically ship butterflies in containers with padding to ensure their safety during transit. Most of the butterflies are sold to zoos and botanical gardens.

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.