B.B.C. Article

Discovering a new species is always exciting, particularly one that uses an explosion of a sticky, wool-like material to defend itself.


The sticky, silk-like material the moth produces can be clearly seen in this photo (Credit: Nick Dowdy / Wake Forest University)


This unique way of defeating predators involves the moth producing something resembling spider silk, earning it the affectionate nickname of "the spider moth”.
It is also the first time that this explosive tactic has been documented being used by a moth to escape predatory bats, according to the scientist that discovered it.

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