Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Over five years ago I wrote about a remarkable adaptation in insects: mimicry of snakes. Remember that “holometabolous” insects go through very different life stages, and this includes Lepidoptera, which have larvae that become pupae (also known as “chrysalises”), and out of those pupae hatch the winged adults. The larvae (“caterpillars”) are often highly edible … Continue reading A remarkable pupa that resembles a snake—and moves!
Tony Eales from Queensland came through with three batches of photos. Today we see the first one, whose theme is a subject dear to my heart—mimicry. Tony’s notes and IDs are indented; click photos to enlarge them. Remember that in Batesian mimicry an edible “mimic” evolves to resemble a visible and toxic or dangerous “model,” … Continue reading Readers’ wildlife photos
Greetings on Monday, July 19, 2021: National Daiquiri Day (Hemingway’s favorite tipple). It’s also National Flitch Day (a “flitch” is half of a pig), National Raspberry Cake Day, and Stick Out Your Tongue Day. Even the greats observe it! (The story behind this iconic photo, taken in 1951 when Einstein was leaving his 72nd birthday … Continue reading Monday: Hili dialogue
Good morning as we near the end of the week and of the month; it’s Thursday, October 28, 2021 and National Chocolate Day (a good day; can you imagine the world without the cacao tree?) The source of all chocolate: It’s also Wild Foods Day, International Animation Day, Statue of Liberty Dedication Day, celebrating the … Continue reading Thursday: Hili dialogue
Planthoppers are in the order Hemiptera—the “true bugs”—along with cicadas and aphids, and are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. I’ve written about them before: they have all kinds of bizarre appearances that sometimes defy explanation (e.g., these ones). In 2012 I wrote a report about a strange planthopper (Formiscurra indicus) that mimicked an ant, but the kicker was … Continue reading A beautiful planthopper that mimics an ant (with a twist)
Good morning on December 27, 2020, the third day of Coynezaa (as well as the third of the Twelve Days of Christmas), and, unfortunately, National Fruitcake Day, when the sole fruitcake that exists in America wends its way to another home, later to be multiply “regifted”. It’s also Visit the Zoo Day, but not much of … Continue reading Sunday: Hili dialogue
Another “work week” has begun: it’s Monday, June 22, 2020, and we’ll soon be into July. It’s National Chocolate Eclair Day, National Onion Rings Day (I love these!) and National Take Your Cat To Work Day®, which occurs in the first Monday of the third full week in June, and comes with a registered trademark … Continue reading Monday: Hili dialogue
Good morning on Sunday, October 6, 2019. It’s National Noodle Day, Garlic Lovers’ Day, National German American Day (see below), and National Plus Size Appreciation Day. It’s also the third day of World Space Week, and National Badger Day (yes, there are badgers in the U.S.; one is below): The sad news today is that the great drummer … Continue reading Sunday: Hili dialogue
