A group such as Kinki University announced that the larvae of the butterfly family "Gomadara butterfly" use horn-like protrusions to protect themselves from the bees of their natural enemies, and as a result of the skillful evolution of living things. It is said that it is an example that can be understood.
Butterfly larvae come in various colors and morphologies depending on the species, and the larvae of "Gomadara butterfly", which are widely distributed in Japan, have two hard protrusions like horns on their heads, but it is not clear what they are for. It was.
Research groups such as Associate Professor Ikuo Katori of Kinki University observed larvae of Hestina persimilis outdoors, and found that the main natural enemy was the bee family "Ashinagabachi", which was covered from behind to prey on the neck. He was biting into a key point behind the head of the corresponding larva and attacking it.
Therefore, when we put this larva and the natural enemy paper wasp in the same space and experimented, the larva prevented the bee from attacking with a protrusion like a horn, and 80% was able to drive away the bee.
He also said that when the protrusions were removed, the larvae could not be prevented and were bitten by the bees, and only about 7% survived.
However, when the excised protrusions were reattached with adhesive, more than 65% of the bees were driven away, indicating that the larvae are protecting themselves from natural enemies with the protrusions.
Associate Professor Katori says, "The protrusion on the head is a simple structure, but it is highly effective, and it is an example of the result of the skillful evolution of living things."