Butterflies sorta creep me out. First, they start out as another bug and then they cocoon themselves. Who does that? And just take a look at this butterfly egg, it’s borderline alien looking.
National Geographic has a whole slew of pictures of insect eggs. The pictures were taken with a scanning electron microscope, which uses beams to outline an object’s exterior. The pictures are coloured in post but done so to reflect its natural appearance. Of all the insect eggs, the butterfly egg looks the creepiest. Just read National Geographic’s description of the Zebra longwing butterfly egg:
The orange hue of this zebra longwing butterfly egg may warn predators: “Eat me if you dare.” The threat would not be idle. The egg contains cyanide and other toxins ingested by adults from the plants they eat.
Cyanide and other toxins? Butterflies aren’t as nice as we think, I’m telling you. I can’t trust them. [National Geographic via Neatorama]
ZZap
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 3:40 PMWhat about the theory that caterpillars and butterflys are in fact two separate species that have formed an extremely intimate symbiotic relationship within a single organism?
The Caterpillar DNA instructs the initial symbiont form, feeds and stores chemical energy in preparation for the metamorphic stage.
During the chrysalis stage the butterfly DNA asserts its instructions and causes the “nutrient soup” to form into the second symbiont.
MrTaco
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:15 AMSo kinda like facehuggers and Aliens?