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Rare Carnivorous Caterpillar in Hawaii Officially Described as 'Bone Collector'

This newly identified species uses insect remains for camouflage, lives in spider webs, and faces critical extinction risks due to its limited habitat.

Six specimens of a newly identified carnivorous caterpillar species nicknamed the ?bone collector?, which camouflages itself by wearing body parts of its prey, are seen in this handout image released by the University of Hawaii, Manoa, in U.S., on April 24, 2025. Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
Image
The habitat of a newly identified carnivorous caterpillar species nicknamed the “bone collector”, which camouflages itself by wearing body parts of its prey, in Waianae mountain range of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, in Hawaii, U.S., is seen in this handout picture released by the University of Hawaii, Manoa, on April 24, 2025. Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
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Overview

  • Researchers have officially described a new carnivorous caterpillar species, nicknamed the 'bone collector,' in a study published in Science on April 25, 2025.
  • The caterpillar, endemic to Oʻahu's Waianae mountain range, camouflages itself by weaving dead insect parts and spider molts into its protective case.
  • It is the only known caterpillar to cohabit with spiders, scavenging prey from their webs while avoiding detection through its macabre disguise.
  • With only 62 individuals found over 20 years in a 15 km² range, the species is highly vulnerable to extinction due to invasive species and habitat loss.
  • Genetic analysis reveals the lineage dates back over 6 million years, predating the formation of Oʻahu, underscoring its evolutionary significance.