Abdelrahman
The Mission Impossible franchise is renowned for its iconic mask reveal scenes. This cleverly portrayed technology allows a seemingly mundane silver briefcase to generate a pliable mask. Once affixed to Tom Cruise’s face, it morphs him into lookalikes of characters like Philip Seymour Hoffman, enabling him to seamlessly infiltrate various hideouts and command centers. Watching Mission Impossible becomes a thrilling experience for viewers: Is the antagonist truly the villain, or could it be Ethan Hunt in disguise?
If the adventures of Mission Impossible were to take place in a colony of harvester termites nestled in the mountains of Morocco, Ethan Hunt might find himself in a peculiar predicament—without a mission. A recent study published in Current Biology uncovers how blow fly larvae have evolved to dwell unnoticed within the nests of these termites. Remarkably, they employ a “termite mask” that extends from their rear, complete with antennae, sensory palps, and large red “eyes” that serve as breathing holes—yes, termites even breathe through their posterior!
This fascinating revelation about the larvae—often referred to less kindly as maggots—was serendipitous. The research team from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) at the Spanish Research Council specializes in butterflies and ants, not termites or flies. They had ventured to the Anti-Atlas mountain range in Morocco to study butterflies, but following an unexpected downpour, they redirected their efforts towards ant research. “When we lifted a stone, we stumbled upon a termite mound housing three fly larvae that we had never encountered before,” shared Roger Vila, an evolutionary biologist at IBE and co-author of the study.
Typically, blow fly larvae thrive in environments like decomposing bodies, excrement, and animal wounds. Discovering them residing in a thriving termite colony—a secure haven akin to an exclusive gated community, fiercely protected by soldier termites—was nothing short of astonishing. While termite colonies provide both food and shelter to their members, they are lethal to intruders.
Despite the apparent danger, it was evident that the larvae had managed to escape the watchful eyes of the soldier termites, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of communal living. The researchers observed that the larvae seemed to receive nourishment through a process called trophallaxis, where termites regurgitate food into each other’s mouths. The maggots were comfortably nestled within the food chambers of the termite mound—a veritable paradise for them.
The interior of a termite colony is pitch dark, and termites rely on their antennae to identify one another. The larvae have tentacle-like extensions around their bodies that appear to facilitate communication with their termite hosts. Each colony exudes a distinct scent, enabling members to recognize intruders from rival colonies, and intriguingly, these larvae have successfully mimicked that scent. “They are indistinguishable from the termites in their colony,” Vila remarked. “They emit the exact same aroma.”
Upon examining the larvae back at the laboratory, researchers identified them as belonging to the Rhyncomya genus of flies. Oddly enough, no other species within this genus is known to display mimicry. Attempts to raise the larvae independently were unsuccessful, resulting in their demise before reaching maturity. The team speculates that these larvae might share a symbiotic relationship with the termites within their nest. Additionally, this species appears to be quite rare. “We have conducted three more expeditions in the region and, despite lifting numerous stones, we discovered only two more flies, congregated in another termite mound,” Vila noted.
What will these larvae metamorphose into? For the moment, it remains a mystery. “Their adult form is still unknown,” Vila commented. Will they evolve into flies that exhibit a different type of mimicry? Could they transform into typical blow flies that look just like any other? Or could they surprise us all by pulling off a stunt worthy of a master of disguise? Only time will tell.
