“Bone Collector” Caterpillar Discovered on Oahu Feeds on Insects and Wears Their Remains.

In a remarkable discovery on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, scientists have identified a new species of carnivorous caterpillar that exhibits a haunting behavior—draping itself in the remains of its victims. Nicknamed the “bone collector,” this bizarre insect lives within a silk case adorned not with natural debris, but with ant heads and fly wings scavenged from its prey.

The caterpillar navigates spiderwebs in the forest, feeding on the helpless insects already trapped, and occasionally even on its own kind. Researchers believe the decorated silk casing may serve as a form of camouflage, allowing the caterpillar to feast unnoticed by the web’s owner.

“This is really something extraordinary,” said Dan Rubinoff, the lead researcher from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Other predatory caterpillars do lots of crazy things, but this takes the cake.”

While Hawaii is home to various native caterpillar species that build protective silk homes using natural elements like sand and lichen, this is the first known instance of one using the body parts of its prey for construction.

Entomologist Steven Montgomery, who was not involved in the study, called the creature’s behavior and casing design “astonishing.”

The findings, recently published in Science, are the result of over two decades of research. In that time, scientists managed to find only 62 individuals of this rare species, underlining its elusiveness and the fragile nature of its habitat.

What makes the “bone collector” even more fascinating is its ancient lineage. Researchers estimate that the species has existed for at least six million years—predating the current Hawaiian islands themselves. Today, it survives in a secluded mountain forest, facing threats from Invasive species and environmental pressures.

“There is really a concern that we need to do better with conservation,” Rubinoff emphasized, highlighting the need to protect these unique creatures and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-04-carnivorous-bone-collector-caterpillar-prey.html

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