Page 26 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Amazing arthropods

Giraffe weevils have

extended necks to

build better nests

and fight rivals

These highly unusual-looking flying insects, native only
to Madagascar, have long legs and short, red bodies but
their most notable attribute – thanks to their very long
necks – is their resemblance to giraffes. The necks serve a
multitude of purposes, from allowing the insects to reach
the leaves of the giraffe beetle trees in which they live, to
letting them build impressive nests – the females roll leaves
into tubes before laying a single egg into them. For males,
though, the necks are perfect for aggressive displays.
They use them to lash out at male rivals in fierce battles

for the right to mate with a female. A male’s neck is up to
three times as long as a female’s, making it effective for
wrestling and pushing opponents until one admits defeat.
GIRAFFE WEEVIL
Trachelophorus giraffa
Class Insecta

Territory Madagascar
Diet Leaves
Lifespan One year
Adult weight 2g (0.1oz)
Conservation status

NOT EVALUATED

Watch out for BELOW The asp caterpillar’s spines
connect to venom glands, each acting
the nasty sting like a miniature hypodermic needle

of the venomous

asp caterpillar

Asp caterpillars are easy to distinguish, not least
because they are covered in a mass of ‘hair’ that
gives them the appearance of a furry animal
or a tiny toupee. Don’t be fooled by their cute
appearance, though, as those hairs are actually
sharp, venomous spines that break off and
stick in the skin of curious humans or predatory
animals. During this process, venom is released,
causing acute pain in the victim. In some cases,
it induces fever or a drop in blood pressure,
making for a very effective defence mechanism.
It is one of the most poisonous caterpillars in
the US, where people are warned to be careful
around its natural home in trees and shrubbery.

“A mass of ‘hair’ gives
them the appearance

of a tiny toupee”

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