4 minute lesson
Ant Slurpees! How Beetles Go Undercover
Can you fake it till you make it in the insect world? With something called aggressive mimicry, maybe you can.
Certain types of beetles will put on disguises and even learn a new language so they can infiltrate ant colonies! This is a pretty cool behavior called “aggressive mimicry,” where a predator makes itself resemble its prey so it can sneak in for a snack. In this case, the beetle Paussus favieri (PAH-sis fah-vee-EH-ree) will mimic ant pheromones to make itself smell more like the ant it likes to eat, Pheidole pallidula (fay-DOH-lay pah-LID-you-lah). Paussus favieri will even make clicking noises to sound more like its ant dinner!
Take a look at this cool video from Gross Science!
Why It Matters
Maybe you feel bad for the ants who get turned into dinner, but don’t forget that the beetles have to eat, too! The world is a wild and wacky place full of amazing things like aggressive mimicry.
The complex life cycles that hold the world together form fascinating webs. Species become interconnected in unexpected ways! Every creature plays an important role, filling unique niches big and small. Studying these deeply entwined ecosystems reveals how even the smallest, and often overlooked, organism can play a critical role in keeping other species healthy and alive.
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Gross Science
Bizarre stories from the slimy, smelly, creepy world of science. New episodes every Monday!
Gross Science is brought to you by PBS Digital Studios, WGBH, and NOVA. Created by Anna Rothschild. Follow Anna on Twitter (@anna_rothschild) and Instagram (@annarothschild)!