In a fascinating discovery, researchers have found blowfly larvae that perfectly mimic the facial features of termites, allowing them to infiltrate and potentially feed on the termite colony. The remarkable mimicry has left scientists wondering how these impostors manage to deceive even the most discerning termites.
In the insect world, impostors could be hiding anywhere. Researchers recently discovered three blowfly larvae living inside a termite nest in the Anti-Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
The Perfect Disguise
When lifting a stone during an expedition, entomologist Roger Vila of the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona came across an unusual sight: three blowfly larvae living inside a termite nest. ‘I immediately thought ‘Wow, this is something cool,’‘ says ‘Vila.’ ‘Because I’ve never seen anything like that.’
Vila and his team brought the larvae and some termites to the lab, hoping to understand how the interlopers manage to get by unnoticed among harvester termites (Anacanthotermes ochraceus), which are known to kill intruders that enter their nests.
Mimicry is Key
The blowfly larvae bodies have evolved to closely resemble those of the termites. Inside the nest, termites recognize each other through touch, so having a termite-shaped body is crucial for larvae survival. The larvae’s rears feature structures that resemble a termite’s antennae, eyes, and other small features, creating a false termite head.
Termites have evolved a unique ability to mimic their surroundings, allowing them to avoid predators and sneak up on prey.
Some species of termites can change the color and texture of their bodies to blend in with their environment.
For example, desert-dwelling termites turn dark brown or black to absorb heat, while forest-dwelling termites turn green to blend in with foliage.
This remarkable ability is made possible by specialized cells called chromatophores that contain pigments which can be expanded or contracted to change color.
Tentacles around the body imitate termite antennae — allowing the larvae to deceive termites coming from all sides. Scent also plays a role in the deception. In the dark underground, termites use chemical signals to recognize each other and each colony has a unique signature. The blowfly larvae emit the exact scent that termites in the colony they exploit do.
Unraveling the Mystery
It is unclear how blowfly larvae end up in the termite nest. The researchers speculate that adult blowflies lay their eggs around or inside of the nest, and that the termites ‘adopt‘ the impostors for unknown reasons. The larvae tend to stay in the most populated areas of the nest, which suggests it’s possible that the termites might be feeding them.
The exact species of the blowflies remains a mystery. A second expedition unearthed just two more larvae and no adults, which would help ID the species. This suggests it is exceptionally rare.
Blowflies are a type of fly with over 1,000 species worldwide.
They have a distinctive metallic color and a long, slender body.
Adult blowflies can grow up to 1 inch in length and have large compound eyes.
They are known for their strong ability to smell and lay eggs quickly after mating.
Blowflies are often found near animal waste or decaying matter, where they feed on protein-rich substances.
Evolutionary Adaptation
Because other Rhyncomya species have larvae without mimicry, Vila says, ‘this tells us that evolution can be very fast under some circumstances.‘ The discovery highlights the complex relationships between different insect species and the adaptability of certain species in their environments.
Evolutionary adaptation is the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.
This occurs through genetic variation and natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Over time, these favorable characteristics become more prevalent in the population.
For example, the peppered moth adapted from light to dark-colored wings in response to pollution, allowing it to blend in with tree bark and avoid predators.
Adaptation can also occur through behavioral changes, such as migratory patterns or social behaviors.
- sciencenews.org | The butts of these blowfly larvae mimic termite faces
