interesting form of mimikry

https://phys.org/news/2025-02-fly-larva-fake-termite-infiltrate.html
(there is given the original sourcem, which is beyond a paywall)

One interesting question would be how the maggots come out of the mound unscathed and do their metamorphosis.

@Ponderable said
https://phys.org/news/2025-02-fly-larva-fake-termite-infiltrate.html
(there is given the original sourcem, which is beyond a paywall)

One interesting question would be how the maggots come out of the mound unscathed and do their metamorphosis.

@sonhouse said
Sounds like it evolved a smell that the termites accept as one of them however they manage such a sense.

@Ponderable said
That much is clear, the questiion is if the go into metamorphosis the difference should be noticeable even by the termites.

@sonhouse said
Are there follow up studies?

@Ponderable said
I have looked up their Homepage and as was written in the phys.org message the finding was not the result of a systematic research and there is none scheduled as far as I could see.

That happens more often, than we should be posible that interesting research is not done. Mostly due to problems to get funding.

The mounds or nests uncovered were flooded under, so that helped the larvae come to surface (partially).

You can see it as parasitic and the larva "put up its firewall", in a sense, but also symbiotic and a fluid-based nurturing process.