Enigmatic white insect sparks learning frenzy on Thai social media

[george]

Picture courtesy of Sanook

 

A recent social media post sparked curiosity and learning among netizens after one user shared an image of an enigmatic white insect, discovered in sandy soil, prompting a flurry of guesses and expert identification.

 

The post, which was shared in a Facebook group dedicated to identifying mysterious creatures, depicted a small, white insect with long antennae. The uploader, seeking insights from fellow group members, inquired about the creature’s identity after encountering it within the sandy terrain.

 

Quickly attracting the attention of knowledgeable individuals, the mystery was soon resolved. It was identified as the larval stage of an antlion, a type of insect known for its transformation into a winged adult capable of flight. This revelation sparked further discussion as some members of the group added that in their local dialect, the creature is colloquially referred to as ตุ๊ดตู่.

 

Further inquiries led to comparisons with another insect, the dragonfly, commonly known as แมงปอเข็ม in Thai. An expert clarified that, despite some similarities, these are distinct species with different life cycles. Dragonfly larvae live in water and, upon reaching maturity, shed their exoskeleton to reveal their adult form with two pairs of wings, unlike antlions, which have a different developmental journey, reported Sanook.

 

-- The Thaiger 2024-04-09