Latest news with #Rubinoff
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Bone Collector Caterpillar Wears Body Parts of Dead Prey
Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii at Manoa / Handout via Reuters Six specimens of a newly identified carnivorous caterpillar species nicknamed the 'bone collector' are seen in this image released by the University of Hawaii at Manoa on April 24. In a remote and lushly forested area of a single mountain range on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, scientists have discovered a carnivorous caterpillar species that makes a living in such a macabre way that they have nicknamed it the 'bone collector.' The caterpillar prowls spider webs to scavenge trapped and helpless victims such as ants, beetles, weevils and flies, the researchers said. The crafty caterpillar camouflages itself from the spider, which would happily eat it, by hiding its body inside a case it fashions from its own silk and adorns it with inedible body parts that it collected from the dead insects. Through metamorphosis, this caterpillar eventually turns into its adult form, a moth with a brown and white coloration. Caterpillars are the moth's larval stage, with a segmented and worm-like body. This is the world's only known caterpillar to live with and benefit from spiders, according to Daniel Rubinoff, a professor of entomology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and lead author of the study published last month in the journal Science. Its grisly behavior would seem well suited for a crime novel. But it represents an example of the creative paths that our planet's living organisms take to survive and thrive. 'They need to hide in a tapestry of bug parts to stay alive in the spider's lair,' Rubinoff said. 'I think it's actually a hero,' Rubinoff said. 'It truly lives 'in the lion's den,' hiding out with a spider and using the spider's web to provide it with food and probably shelter. The caterpillar will attack prey that can't get away but is itself very slow and bumbling, trailing a large [silk] case behind it.' The caterpillars consume weakened or dead insects they encounter in webs spun by spiders in tree hollows and rock crevices. 'So it's probably getting the leftovers after the spider has fed,' Rubinoff said. They even resort to cannibalism, attacking other caterpillars of the same species. The 'Bone Collector' was the nickname of a serial killer in author Jeffery Deaver's 1997 novel 'The Bone Collector' and subsequent 1999 film of the same name. So how did this caterpillar come to share this notorious nickname? 'I think the term is out there in the ether, and just fit with what these caterpillars are doing. It's a bit tongue in cheek because arthropods don't actually have bones,' Rubinoff said. Arthropods are the massive assemblage of invertebrates that include insects and spiders, as well as crustaceans. The researchers said the 'bone collector' inhabits a patch of mountain forest spanning just 15 square kilometers in the Waianae mountain range. Rubinoff said this caterpillar has a very precarious existence. Only 62 individuals have been observed in two decades of fieldwork. 'Invasive species are the main threat now. Even in protected areas, Hawaii is losing native species due to invasive species taking over habitats and turning them into biological deserts that look like forests but are largely unavailable to native species,' Rubinoff said. The caterpillar, a previously unknown species, is a member of a group of moths called Hyposmocoma native to Hawaii that includes hundreds of species and arose about 12 million years ago. The researchers believe the 'bone collector' comes from a lineage more than 5 million years old. The overwhelming majority of caterpillars eat vegetation. Predatory caterpillars globally comprise less than 0.13% of the planet's nearly 200,000 moth and butterfly species. And among those, the 'bone collector' is the only one known to find food the way it does, making it unique among the world's animals. 'The more we can understand how the world around us works, the better off we will be,' Rubinoff said.
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Planting Change: WS Butterflyway Project Cultivates Hope for Pollinators
● WS Butterflyway Project is part of a national initiative launched by the David Suzuki Foundation in 2017. ● The organization emphasizes that aiding pollinators is essential to preserving biodiversity, food security, and ecosystem health, and that individual actions can make a meaningful impact. ● Founded in 2022, Butterflyway Rangers lead pollinator garden plantings and educational outreach in Stouffville and nearby communities. ● The group has donated canoe gardens, seed kits, and native plants to local organizations, businesses, and individuals. ● Upcoming summer events will engage the community and encourage the creation of supportive pollinator corridors. Inspired by the David Suzuki Foundation's national initiative launched in 2017, the WS Butterflyway Project is a local, volunteer-driven effort to create pollinator-friendly spaces using native plants. The goal is simple yet vital: restore habitat for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators, one garden at a time. Led by trained community 'Rangers,' the Butterflyway model encourages residents and their neighbours to plant native gardens, forming natural corridors for pollinators. The initiative operates on the principle that meaningful environmental change can start in one's backyard and ripple outward through community support. Bullet Point News caught up with WS Butterflyway Project co-founder Micole Rubinoff this week at the Baker Hill Community Garden. She was joined by fellow Ranger Yvonne Warner during an event with local Girl Guides, focused on pollinator education, planting, and creating bee baths. 'The girls were really interested, and they were able to get information and knowledge on native plants and the importance of pollinators,' Rubinoff said. 'They liked learning how everything is connected, how we rely on our environment, and how even small actions can help support the living things around us.' Participants were especially drawn to the concept of bee baths, which are small, shallow water sources designed to help pollinators stay hydrated. 'They loved the idea of the bee baths,' Rubinoff said. 'It wasn't something they had thought about before, so we related it to having cats and dogs—just like pets, bees and other pollinators need water too.' Another concept that resonated with the Girl Guides was the 'Three Sisters' garden, a traditional Indigenous companion planting method that combines corn, beans, and squash to support each other's growth. 'They really liked how simple and effective it was, and how it was used to sustain entire communities,' Rubinoff explained. Since launching in 2022, the WS Butterflyway Project has seen steady community growth. Repurposed canoe gardens have been donated to the Town of Stouffville and the Holy Theotokos Convent, and the team has supplied native plant starter kits to local businesses, including Moto Café, Stouffville Picture Framing, and Parkview Home. This year, volunteers are establishing new pollinator gardens at the B'MORE Sunflower Farm in Whitby and Harmony Hall in Vandorf. The team is also in discussions with the Stouffville Public Library to introduce a community seed library, where residents can borrow, grow, and return seeds—promoting gardening literacy and local biodiversity. The plantings are part of a broader series of public outreach events taking place in the months ahead: Those interested in learning more, staying updated, or contributing to pollinator efforts are encouraged to email WSbutterflyway@ . Residents can also connect with the team on their Facebook page and group , which serve as community hubs for sharing photos, planting ideas, event details, and tips on native species and pollinator health. 'Our role is to inspire and assist, and supporting pollinators is something each of us can take on in our own way,' Rubinoff said. 'We're grateful for the support we've received from the Stouffville Legacy Fund to continue these efforts, and we love seeing what others are growing and doing for pollinators.'
The Star
05-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
This caterpillar wears its prey's body parts
A picture of a new species of carnivorous caterpillar (left) that uses a protective case made with insect parts. — DANIEL RUBINOFF/AP IN a remote and lushly forested area of a single mountain range on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the United States, scientists have discovered a carnivorous caterpillar species that makes a living in such a macabre way that they have nicknamed it the 'bone collector'. The caterpillar prowls spider webs to scavenge trapped and helpless victims such as ants, beetles, weevils and flies, the researchers said. The crafty caterpillar camouflages itself from the spider, which would happily eat it, by hiding its body inside a case it fashions from its own silk and adorns it with inedible body parts that it collected from the dead insects. Through metamorphosis, this caterpillar eventually turns into its adult form, a moth with a brown and white colouration. Caterpillars are the moth's larval stage, with a segmented and worm-like body. This is the world's only known caterpillar to live with and benefit from spiders, according to Daniel Rubinoff, a professor of entomology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and lead author of the study published in the journal Science. Its grisly behaviour would seem well suited for a crime novel. But it represents an example of the creative paths that our planet's living organisms take to survive and thrive. 'They need to hide in a tapestry of bug parts to stay alive in the spider's lair,' Rubinoff said. 'I think it's actually a hero,' Rubinoff said. 'It truly lives 'in the lion's den', hiding out with a spider and using the spider's web to provide it with food and probably shelter. The caterpillar will attack prey that can't get away but is itself very slow and bumbling, trailing a large (silk) case behind it.' Six specimens of the 'bone collector'. — University of Hawaii The caterpillars consume weakened or dead insects they encounter in webs spun by spiders in tree hollows and rock crevices. 'So it's probably getting the leftovers after the spider has fed,' Rubinoff said. They even resort to cannibalism, attacking other caterpillars of the same species. The 'Bone Collector' was the nickname of a serial killer in author Jeffery Deaver's 1997 novel The Bone Collector and subsequent 1999 film of the same name. So how did this caterpillar come to share this notorious nickname? 'I think the term is out there in the ether, and just fit with what these caterpillars are doing. It's a bit tongue in cheek because arthropods don't actually have bones,' Rubinoff said. Arthropods are the massive assemblage of invertebrates that include insects and spiders, as well as crustaceans. The researchers said the 'bone collector' inhabits a patch of mountain forest spanning just 15sq m in the Waianae mountain range. Rubinoff said this caterpillar has a very precarious existence. Only 62 individuals have been observed in two decades of fieldwork. 'Invasive species are the main threat now. Even in protected areas, Hawaii is losing native species due to invasive ones taking over habitats and turning them into biological deserts that look like forests but are largely unavailable to native species,' Rubinoff said. The caterpillar, a previously unknown species, is a member of a group of moths called Hyposmocoma native to Hawaii that includes hundreds of species and arose about 12 million years ago. The researchers believe the bone collector comes from a lineage more than five million years old. The overwhelming majority of caterpillars eat vegetation. Predatory caterpillars globally comprise less than 0.13% of the planet's nearly 200,000 moth and butterfly species. And among those, the bone collector is the only one known to find food the way it does, making it unique among the world's animals. 'The more we can understand how the world around us works, the better off we will be,' Rubinoff said. – Reuters
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Extremely Metal "Bone Collector" Caterpillar Cloaks Itself in the Shattered Exoskeletons of Its Vanquished Foes
A newly discovered species of caterpillar in Hawaii is unlike any other. It's carnivorous — already an extreme rarity for these generally benign creatures — and when it's not devouring its helpless foes, it's cloaking itself in a gruesome canvas of their body parts. Oh, did we also mention it's occasionally a cannibal? Taking trophies ranging from entire heads to molted exoskeletons, there's a reason why scientists have nicknamed it the "bone collector." As detailed in a study published in the journal Science, the caterpillars favor lurking in spider webs hidden from view, like in a tree hollow or rock cavity, where they strip the corpses of insects ensnared in the silk traps, and daringly avoid the detection of the arachnids that interred them there. And the caterpillars get away with it thanks to their macabre costumes, disguising them as the dead insects while also making them appear unappetizing to predators. "We started realizing these things are only hanging out where there are spiders," lead author Daniel Rubinoff, an entomologist at the University of Hawaii, told Ars Technica. "It's the sort of thing you really want to be sure of because it's not just incredible, it's unimaginable." "It is remarkable that a caterpillar would tie its fate to a spider — a clear and present danger for both caterpillar and moth alike," echoed David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut who was not involved in the study, to the New York Times. The bone collector belongs to a genus of moths found in Hawaii called Hyposcoma, which are known for spinning protective cases of silk when they're larva. In this case, the silk is used to weave the body parts together, forming a sort of portable cocoon. Rubinoff first stumbled across a specimen in 2008, and has since worked to prove that the caterpillars are an entirely new species. Bone collectors are found exclusively in the Wai'anae Mountains on the island of O'ahu, and are exceedingly rare. To date, more than 150 field surveys in the area have yielded only 62 specimens, per the NYT. The bodypart camouflage may look random and haphazard, but it's apparently a carefully curated outfit. Somewhere between mortician and tailor, a bone collector will use its mandibles to cut a beetle carapace here and an ant limb there down to size, and are notably picky when it comes to choosing what to add to their suits (though what informs its fashion choices is unclear). In a lab, bone collectors ignored random detritus and went straight for the dead stuff, showing that they were "able to discern differences in objects in their environment," Rubinoff told the NYT. But they ate practically any insect. By studying the caterpillar's genetics, Rubinoff and his team revealed that the species likely emerged at least five million years ago, which is older than O'ahu itself. Because it has no relatives of the same lineage, the researchers believe its original home was another island that's since been swallowed by the ocean, per Ars. Resourceful as they are, the bone collectors are tragically being threatened by a surge of invasive bug species, and could face extinction. "I don't want to say it's on the verge of winking out, but in the context, it seems likely," Rubinoff told Ars. "We've lost entire genera of endemic insects [in Hawaii]. It could be one new ant species away from being obliterated." More on wildlife: Scientists Take First Ever Video of Colossal Squid in the Wild... With One Comical Issue
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hawaii's 'bone collector' caterpillar wears the body parts of dead prey
By Will Dunham (Reuters) -In a remote and lushly forested area of a single mountain range on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, scientists have discovered a carnivorous caterpillar species that makes a living in such a macabre way that they have nicknamed it the "bone collector." The caterpillar prowls spider webs to scavenge trapped and helpless victims such as ants, beetles, weevils and flies, the researchers said. The crafty caterpillar camouflages itself from the spider, which would happily eat it, by hiding its body inside a case it fashions from its own silk and adorns it with inedible body parts that it collected from the dead insects. Through metamorphosis, this caterpillar eventually turns into its adult form, a moth with a brown and white coloration. Caterpillars are the moth's larval stage, with a segmented and worm-like body. This is the world's only known caterpillar to live with and benefit from spiders, according to Daniel Rubinoff, a professor of entomology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and lead author of the study published this week in the journal Science. Its grisly behavior would seem well suited for a crime novel. But it represents an example of the creative paths that our planet's living organisms take to survive and thrive. "They need to hide in a tapestry of bug parts to stay alive in the spider's lair," Rubinoff said. "I think it's actually a hero," Rubinoff said. "It truly lives 'in the lion's den,' hiding out with a spider and using the spider's web to provide it with food and probably shelter. The caterpillar will attack prey that can't get away but is itself very slow and bumbling, trailing a large (silk) case behind it." The caterpillars consume weakened or dead insects they encounter in webs spun by spiders in tree hollows and rock crevices. "So it's probably getting the leftovers after the spider has fed," Rubinoff said. They even resort to cannibalism, attacking other caterpillars of the same species. The "Bone Collector" was the nickname of a serial killer in author Jeffery Deaver's 1997 novel "The Bone Collector" and subsequent 1999 film of the same name. So how did this caterpillar come to share this notorious nickname? "I think the term is out there in the ether, and just fit with what these caterpillars are doing. It's a bit tongue in cheek because arthropods don't actually have bones," Rubinoff said. Arthropods are the massive assemblage of invertebrates that include insects and spiders, as well as crustaceans. The researchers said the "bone collector" inhabits a patch of mountain forest spanning just 5.8 square miles (15 square km) in the Waianae mountain range. Rubinoff said this caterpillar has a very precarious existence. Only 62 individuals have been observed in two decades of fieldwork. "Invasive species are the main threat now. Even in protected areas, Hawaii is losing native species due to invasive species taking over habitats and turning them into biological deserts that look like forests but are largely unavailable to native species," Rubinoff said. The caterpillar, a previously unknown species, is a member of a group of moths called Hyposmocoma native to Hawaii that includes hundreds of species and arose about 12 million years ago. The researchers believe the "bone collector" comes from a lineage more than 5 million years old. The overwhelming majority of caterpillars eat vegetation. Predatory caterpillars globally comprise less than 0.13% of the planet's nearly 200,000 moth and butterfly species. And among those, the "bone collector" is the only one known to find food the way it does, making it unique among the world's animals. "The more we can understand how the world around us works, the better off we will be," Rubinoff said.
