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Klepto-synthesis | Doppel-Spider | Carnivorous Caterpillars

Klepto-synthesis | Doppel-Spider | Carnivorous Caterpillars

Issue #239

Steve Burgess
January 10, 2026

One of my goals for 2026 is to discover a new species. Even if I have to make it up.

My current backup plan is a reindeer that grows marshmallows from its antler-tips.

What creature would you make up?!

—Steve 🦌

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photo by Prometheus

Klepto-synthesis

Have you heard of the great fungal heist? Monotropastrum humile, is a rare mycoheterotroph that forgoes photosynthesis in favor of stealing its energy.

Mycoheterotroph = plant that gets all its nutrients from fungi
Siphons nutrients from underground fungal networks
Translucent white appearance earned nickname “ghost plant”

Apparently motivated to stay spooky, the ghost plant is primarily pollinated by cockroaches. A trait that likely evolved due to the lack of bees in its dark habitat. Perhaps st3v’s coffee stand can help?

Can you see the ghost plant? — find out

Doppel-Spider

If you think you saw a Cyclosa spider, you actually probably didn’t. The artsy arachnid builds realistic decoys of themselves in the center of their web.

Decoys built from silk and forest debris
Sometimes includes husks of former prey
Decoys are near-perfect match in size and color

Predatory wasps are often fooled into attacking decoys, giving the spider a head start in escaping. Yes, wasps can relate to their food not being nearly as appetizing as it looked in the menu.

Or maybe the spider just likes looking at itself - vain or genius?

🐛This reminds me of another critter that uses dead bodies to fool predators. So metal 🤘

Carnivorous Caterpillars

Carnivorous caterpillars lurk between spider strands in Hawaii. The newly identified species disguises itself with spare body parts.

Species name = bone collector
Scavenges webs to craft the perfect cloak
Only found in the Wai'anae Mountains

Bone collectors grow solely from spidey leftovers before metamorphosing into an otherwise typical moth. Our time to enjoy/fear these mini-carnivores may be short lived as they appear close to extinction. No bones about it.

Spooky scary skeletons