Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years

Re:Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years by bh42222 on Thursday March 01, 2012 @11:03AM (#3652615)

I think the way it works for most most (maybe even all) insects is to use air to blow themselves up much like a balloon to get out of the egg or cocoon.

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Re:Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years by michaelcampbell on Friday March 02, 2012 @08:24AM (#3656465)

where does this air come from; is the cocoon/egg not airtight?

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Re:Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years by bh42222 on Friday March 02, 2012 @10:29AM (#3656874)

While an egg or cocoon might be airtight, it must also still remain air permeable. Everything must be able to breathe. So while there might not be a visible flow of air, like through an open window, oxygen and CO2 still make their way in and out all the time.

Also initially the insect might break the egg/cocoon open without extra air, just by simple mechanics, but once it's out it starts to pump air into itself.

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Re:Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years by viaken on Friday March 02, 2012 @09:43AM (#3656707)

Possibly, but it popped the top open. Maybe it's possible to do that by just flexing some muscles.

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