About this episode
This episode explores the fascinating relationship between lycaenid butterfly caterpillars and ant colonies, revealing their unique methods of integration.
What the if you got zapped by a shrink ray while walking past the physics department and your only hope of survival was convincing a colony of ants to take you in? Lycaenid butterfly caterpillars have been pulling this con for millions of years, hacking ant colonies with fake chemical IDs and rhythmic vibrational passwords to sneak past the bouncers. Once inside, some get the royal treatment in ant kindergarten while others take a much darker approach to fitting in that you really need to hear to believe. Based on "The Password That Lets Caterpillars Hide in an Ant's Lair" by Rebecca Zambach, published in The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/science/caterpillar-ant-language.html?unlocked_article_code=1.R1A.pFPA.7vXnChlDK6D8&smid=url-share --- Find out more about Gaby's science fiction short story! Here are the links for the anthology. The physical copy can be ordered here : https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention The ebook can be ordered here: https://www.neonhemlock.com/ebooks/luminescent-machinations-queer-tales-of-monumental-invention
People in this episode
Host: Philip Shane
Topics covered
- ants
- caterpillars
- biology
- symbiosis
- communication
- science
Keywords
- ants
- caterpillars
- symbiosis
- chemical IDs
- vibrational passwords
- biology
- New York Times
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The New York Times
Products: Luminescent Machinations: Queer Tales of Monumental Invention
Books & works: The Password That Lets Caterpillars Hide in an Ant's Lair
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