In a surprising discovery, an international team of scientists has found that certain blow fly larvae can mimic termites to live among ants. The larvae display a unique “termite mask” on their bodies, complete with fake eyes and antennae, which allows them to blend in with the ants’ social hierarchy.
The researchers, from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the Spanish National Research Council, made the discovery while studying harvester termites in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas mountains. The team was searching for ants due to a lack of rainfall, but instead found larvae of a previously unknown species of blow fly.
The larvae use their disguise to infiltrate termite mounds and communicate with the termites using specialized “tentacles” around their bodies. They also mimic the distinctive odor of the termites, allowing them to avoid detection by the ants’ sensitive antennae.
In laboratory experiments, the team observed that the larvae tended to settle in the most populated area of the nest and received constant attention from the termites. The researchers believe that this unique relationship may be a form of social parasitism or symbiosis, similar to the relationship between humpbacked flies and termites.
Further research is needed to understand the full extent of this phenomenon and how it evolved. However, the discovery highlights the complex and diverse nature of insect relationships in ecosystems.
Source: https://www.popsci.com/environment/fly-disguised-as-termite