A carnivorous caterpillar dubbed the “bone collector” decorates itself with the body parts of its prey. Attaching an ant head here or beetle abdomen there seems to minimize the caterpillar’s own scent, allowing it to lurk in spiderwebs, where it can scavenge dead or dying insects.
McKenzie Prillaman reports at @ScienceNews
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/caterpillar-wears-body-part-insect-prey
Macabre outerwear isn’t the only trick caterpillars have up their sleeves; learn more from our recent story.
https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/living-world/2025/meet-the-venomous-caterpillars