Page 31 - Engineering in Nature

Harun Yahya

flies detect the pheromone, receive the message, and immediately fly
off in search of another cherry tree in which to lay their eggs. 6
Without pheromones, it would be impossible for bagworm moths
to survive. The larval stage of this species makes a kind of camouflage

bag to protect itself from predators. In making its sac, the larva uses
such materials as leaves and twigs from whatever plant it lives on.
Bagworm moths never leave their sacs, not even when feeding. When
the females pupate and reach adulthood, they still cannot leave, since
they have neither wings nor legs.
Mating also takes place inside this cocoon, thanks to a special phe-
romone the female gives off. When ready to mate, she emits a chemi-
cal substance that softens and loosens her cocoon, to facilitate the
male moth' s entry. Detecting the pheromone given off by the female,
he opens a small hole in the softened cocoon and mates with the fe-
male he has never seen. The female then lays her eggs inside the co-
coon. To close up the opening made by the male, she produces
another substance in her body, and dies shortly thereafter. When her

Bagworm moth and its bag

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