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The Wild Pest
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Underground bugs

Every species in the Wild Files corpus where underground is a defining trait.

7 on file

On File
Glow-worms (Arachnocampa luminosa) illuminating the ceiling of a Waitomo cave with blue-green light.
Curious
Six Legs78
Alias
Arachnocampa luminosa

New Zealand Glow-Worm

Not a worm. Hangs glowing fishing-lines from cave ceilings. Catches insects on glue.

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On File
A periodical cicada (Magicicada septendecim) on a leaf, showing the distinctive red eyes and orange wing veins.
Curious
Six Legs85
Alias
Magicicada septendecim

Periodical Cicada (17-Year)

Spends 17 years underground. Emerges by the trillion. Picks 17 because it's prime.

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On File
An antlion larva (Myrmeleon formicarius) at the bottom of its sand pit, sickle-shaped jaws visible.
Curious
Six Legs77
Alias
Myrmeleon formicarius

Antlion

Larva digs a sand pit. Hides under it. Ant slides in. Jaws close. Adult is a delicate dragonfly. Unrelated to ants.

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On File
An eyed click beetle (Alaus oculatus), elongated dark body with two prominent eyespot markings on the pronotum.
Curious
Six Legs77
Alias
Alaus oculatus

Eyed Click Beetle

Flips herself off her back with an audible click. 380 g of acceleration. 30 cm of jump.

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On File
A compass termite mound (Amitermes meridionalis) in northern Australia, wedge-shaped with the long axis oriented north-south.
Curious
Six Legs82
Alias
Amitermes meridionalis

Compass Termite

Builds termite mounds aligned to true magnetic north. Uses Earth's magnetic field.

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On File
A European mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa), tan body with massive shovel-shaped front legs.
Curious
Six Legs80
Alias
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa

European Mole Cricket

Builds an underground trumpet. Sings through it. Calls audible 600 meters away.

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On File
A California trapdoor spider (Bothriocyrtum californicum), dark glossy body emerging from her burrow.
Curious
Six Legs76
Alias
Bothriocyrtum californicum

California Trapdoor Spider

Lives in a burrow with a hinged camouflaged door. Lived 43 years (longest spider ever).

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