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...L. latipennis is a dedicated follower of termites (con mối), found on all the same continents as these eusocial insects (which is every continent except Antarctica, by the way). An adult beaded lacewing will conveniently lay her eggs within wriggling distance of a termite’s nest, which the larval form of L. latipennis will sneak into after hatching (ấp). You might think a legless larva  (ấu trùng) wouldn’t stand much of a chance against an army (đội quân) of termites, but L. latipennis have evolved to practice a unique and highly effective means of attack.

When a larva comes across some termites, it raises its rear-end to the termite’s head-height and releases a vapor-phase toxicant called an allomone which knocks them out, and the larva feasts on their frozen bodies. In essence, it farts them to death. Depending on how many unfortunate termites are downwind when the toxic toot fires off, a study found that the larva can actually take down multiple termites with a single poof. A deadly yield that’s particularly impressive when you realize the average L. latipennis is about 1/35th the weight of the termites. That’s some serious #gainz for one guff.

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