Published in Journal of Experimental Biology · View the paper (DOI)
Researchers discovered that Asphondylia maggots use microscopic hairs to latch onto surfaces, forming a temporary leg to launch themselves into the air. This unique mechanism allows them to catapult themselves up to 121mm in just a few seconds, saving energy compared to crawling.
Coverage from 2 institutions
- How maggots leap without legs The Company of Biologists · Aug 8, 2019 · first to report
- Leaping larvae! How do they do that without legs? Duke University · Aug 8, 2019