Nature's 3D Printer: MIND BLOWING Cocoon in Rainforest - Smarter Every Day 94

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by Super User, 8 years ago
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What is your theory about why there are holes in the cocoon?
Tweet this: http://bit.ly/TwtCacoon
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Please allow me to Earn you "Like / Share" by giving you the photos!
Take your pick, here are two ways to view them:
1. The Smarter Every Day Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/13vku56
2. A Blog entry written by Phil, from Rainforest Expeditions: http://bit.ly/12dia4C

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Filmed on location in the Rainforests of Eastern Peru. I was on a tour run by Rainforest Expeditions (http://www.perunature.com)
Please Share with your friends if you enjoyed it.

The music is an original work by Gordon McGladdery of A Shell in the Pit, who went to Peru with me.
Gordon had to pay for his flight down to Peru and hasn't made his money back yet.
Please donate something in exchange for his awesome work!
http://ashellinthepit.bandcamp.com/


http://blog.perunature.com/2013/06/the-incredible-urodid-moth-cocoon.html

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Here's some Info from Phil:

This type of cocoon is known as a "open-network cocoon" and is unlike other cocoons in that it doesn't completely enclose the pupa in silk. Instead, it only partially surrounds it, likely enabling better airflow to control for humidity and may help prevent fungi from growing on, and eventually killing, the pupa. This cocoon very likely belongs to a moth in the family Urodidae, which is known for making this type of lattice-structured cocoon surrounding its pupa.

Check out some more technical reading:
Papers on a similar caterpillars:
http://bit.ly/11B076F
http://www.troplep.org/TLR/5-2/pdf007...
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-007/44...
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Thanks to Rainforest Expeditions for inviting me down, if you'd like to go down to the Amazon Rainforest and see all of this for yourself check them out at http://www.perunature.com
Phil Torres is the Conservation Biologist in the video who was wise enough to bring his books to the middle of the jungle! You can tweet Phil (http://www.twitter.com/phil_torres)


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Instead of saving for my kids' college, I make videos using the money I would have saved.
The thought is it will help educate the world as a whole, and one day generate enough revenue to pay for their education. Until then if you appreciate what you've learned in this video and the effort that went in to it, please SHARE THE VIDEO!

If you REALLY liked it, feel free to pitch a few dollars towards their college fund by clicking here:
http://bit.ly/KidsCollege

Warm Regards,

Destin