Entomology

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Beetle grows ‘termite’ on back to steal food (www.science.org)

submitted 2 years ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/entomology@mander.xyz

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[–] unicorn@mander.xyz 2 points 2 years ago

From the article:

The termite “puppet” may help the beetle evade detection—though termites are blind, they sense one another through touch. The beetle may also absorb unique chemicals called cuticular hydrocarbons from the termites or produce similar compounds in order to enhance the perception that it is a termite as well.

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