on this one, long twigs extend vertically down

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   Pixel is the smallest dragon (pixouls@post.lurk.org)'s status on Friday, 30-Dec-2022 04:24:25 JST Pixel is the smallest dragon

   I hope this is something that brings you delight today. A few months ago someone asked me for advice on designing homes for their solar punk story. This little guy came to mind.

   Introducing the bagworm moth, family Psychidae. In its caterpillar/larvae stage, it starts to build a tower on their back. They can make their homes not just out of twigs, but also sand, soil, or lichen. The unique "cases" are important for identifying the species.

   Native to North America, bagworm moths serve an ecological role of defoliators. Yep, they eat up all the leafies. Thus, they get a bad reputation, like bark beetles (who make some very beautiful tunnels to look at), because they're considered pests where the natural ecosystem has not been allowed to adapt.

   Bagworm moth species, of which there are over 1000, also contain many where the female moths do not have wings, and the eggshells are hard enough to remain intact even if digested (to support dispersal).

   Here's a video of a bagworm moth coming out to eat https://piped.kavin.rocks/watch?v=oPb6sCba_js

   #insects #entomology