• A new carnivorous caterpillar known as the "bone collector" was discovered in Hawaii.
• This caterpillar uses body parts of its prey for camouflage to avoid being eaten by spiders.
• Only 62 individuals of this species have been observed over two decades, highlighting its rarity.
• Invasive species pose a significant threat to its survival and the native ecosystem of Hawaii.
• This caterpillar is part of a lineage that may date back over 5 million years.

Scientists have identified a rare carnivorous caterpillar species on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, aptly nicknamed the "bone collector." This unique caterpillar resides in a specific mountainous area, prowling spider webs to scavenge insects such as ants, flies, and beetles. Notably, it conceals itself within a case crafted from silk and adorned with the remains of its prey, which helps it evade detection by spiders, according to CBS News, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Renowned entomologist Daniel Rubinoff from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, who authored the study published in the journal Science, remarked on the unusual survival strategy of the caterpillar, emphasizing its ability to thrive "in the lion's den." He noted that this caterpillar, which eventually metamorphoses into a brown and white moth, represents the only known instance of a caterpillar that coexists with spiders while utilizing their webs for sustenance, according to CBS News, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

This peculiar caterpillar's diet mainly consists of dead or weakened insects captured in spider webs, which it consumes as leftovers after the spider has feasted. Interestingly, in addition to seeking out scavenging opportunities, the bone collector caterpillar has been documented engaging in cannibalism among its own species, pointing to a stark survival instinct in challenging environments, according to CBS News, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Unfortunately, the bone collector caterpillar faces a precarious future as only 62 individuals have been spotted over two decades, raising concerns about its survival. The primary threat comes from invasive species that rapidly disrupt native habitats in Hawaii, transforming biodiverse areas into uninhabitable environments for indigenous species. Rubinoff called for increased conservation efforts to protect this unique lineage that may have existed alongside the Hawaiian islands for over 5 million years, according to CBS News, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.