Learning! Some butterflies are backstabbing butterflies

Nature is a dangerous place - the lovely metalmark butterfly backstabs its protectors.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Anyone who's had their hearts broken once they learned the truth about otters knows that nature isn't always nice.

Here's another beautiful, yet devious, creature: the metalmark butterfly.

As a caterpillar, the metalmark butterfly bribes ants who might otherwise eat it into actually protecting it by sharing sugary secretions with them.

Then, once they transform into beautiful butterflies and become a symbol of resilience for young girls everywhere, they start stealing the ants' food before flying away to plant its eggs elsewhere!


Source: New Scientist.