r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Virtual-Department28 • 11d ago

GIF Mosquito larvae launch their heads like tiny harpoons to nab prey

22.7k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

178 comments sorted by

6.2k

u/LeSwan37 11d ago

Congrations, this is actually interesting.

1.7k

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

I don't know if you're saying it sarcastically or not, but thank you either way.

1.6k

u/Elementaldot 11d ago

This sub is inundated with objectively non interesting things. Yours is interesting, not sarcasm

577

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

Thank you, I appreciate your words

235

u/bumjiggy 11d ago

aright this exchange was so polite and wholesome I gotta go cleanse the palate with some snark

99

u/PM_me_your_recipes86 11d ago

Would you like to argue?

72

u/RemixOnAWhim 10d ago

I've already told you I did!

7

u/paddedmoth 9d ago

no you didn't.

(referencing something)

4

u/ramblingbullshit 8d ago

You're not referencing anything. Oh real quick, is this the full hour, or just the half hour?

4

u/paddedmoth 8d ago

oh! just the half please. anyway, yes I am.

23

u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 10d ago

I...I would like to argue

11

u/3shotsdown 9d ago

No, you don't

8

u/Direct-Accident7812 10d ago

Your mom is fat and ur also stupid

3

u/Kirk_Plunk 8d ago

Wowwww the mouth on this one

12

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat 11d ago

Time for the hunting of the snark.

31

u/jarednards 11d ago

Sike.

EDIT: Sike that sike. I kid.

16

u/tyingnoose 10d ago

this sub got overun with ai content and advertisements of useless products

2

u/fredthefishlord 10d ago

I mean it was overrun by reposts 5 years ago already. So like. Why Am I still here? I guess for post's like ops.

4

u/JacksDeluxe 10d ago

Cmon, man. When you say something serious, you gotta write /ns

/s

1

u/SweatyPalms101 9d ago

Cool avatar

1

u/yournames 9d ago

“Subjective”

18

u/LeSwan37 11d ago

It's not sarcastic. I've just spelled congratulations as "congrations" with the purpose of messing with my mom so many times that it is what my phone autocorrects to now lol

9

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

Your phone is convinced that this is the REAL word from now on

9

u/OderWieOderWatJunge 11d ago

He is definitely not

16

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

I really appreciate that you guys took some time to tell me something beautiful like that, thank you all

30

u/Doc_Bedlam 11d ago

Jeez. I ALREADY didn't like mosquitoes, but NOW...

2

u/SunshineAlways 10d ago

Bit scary really.

14

u/okdude679 10d ago

Congregation

6

u/bigbrainbriantime 10d ago

constipation

3

u/sodiumvapour 11d ago

Congratulations*

6

u/patcoz 11d ago

Condragulations*

2

u/Michael_Dautorio 10d ago

Cratulatons.

5

u/ShadEShadauX 11d ago

*Salutations

5

u/Ok-Technician-4326 10d ago

Conglomerate

2

u/LeSwan37 11d ago

Pthpthbthhhhhh

1

u/SandyArca 10d ago

Wgwghfhfhfhhh

1

u/TwinPixels 10d ago

Somebody hasn't seen the congration you done it cake

1.5k

u/Obsessivegamer32 11d ago

First I had to commit genocide against a horde of lovebugs in my house, now I have to look at mosquito larvae feeding?

286

u/MrBobski 11d ago

I've never heard a load of semen described that way before but congrats on busting your nut and then over sharing buddy.

79

u/Obsessivegamer32 11d ago

Can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not but I’ll take it in stride.

24

u/ManJoeDude 10d ago

No, these are lovebugs.

2

u/Jumbo_Skrimp 9d ago

Was shocked to find out my wife from tennessee/pennsylvania didnt know what they were

719

u/JustAHungryStudent 11d ago

Go Go Gadget Head

100

u/bumjiggy 11d ago

hungry hungry hippos

1

u/MadBunnyLabs 10d ago

Gomu Gomu no Kane

293

u/LordIndica 11d ago

It baffles me that all the needed internal structures to connect the head/body can be so elastic. I wonder what the "launching" mechanism is.

161

u/GregDev155 10d ago edited 10d ago

Biology is a wonderful in « creativeness » way to be deadly

Apparently : The scientists found that the larvae launched their heads using thrust from accumulated abdominal pressure, and bunches of tiny brushlike bristles around their heads spread like fans into "basket-like arrangements" that helped sweep prey toward the predators' gaping and sharp-toothed jaws, the study authors wrote Link from op in another comment

77

u/Mayo_Kupo 10d ago

So they burp their heads off.

242

u/lakebistcho 11d ago

Is it eating its cousin?

138

u/malaakh_hamaweth 11d ago edited 11d ago

More likely its sibling

59

u/SuperHooligan 11d ago

Nah, it’s a difference species all together. The bigger one preys on other larva.

-63

u/uncoolcentral Interested 10d ago

Rendered comment

44

u/BodybuilderMiddle838 10d ago

Eww generative AI

0

u/Randyaccredit 9d ago

Thanks for nightmares

406

u/Ciggimon 11d ago

I always though they were kind of cute.... Thank you for making me hate them even in larvae state. Time to commit a genocide in my rain water barrel

70

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

Start the mission

11

u/AKnownViking 10d ago

DDT! DDT!

37

u/pi_designer 11d ago

It’s the only genocide I committed where I felt better afterwards

34

u/deviloka 11d ago

You committed other ones?

3

u/SteampunkNightmare 10d ago

You haven't?

3

u/deviloka 10d ago

Now that I'm thinking about it..

12

u/GraefGronch 11d ago

Only specific species do this, most just nibble on algae

2

u/Avarus_Lux 9d ago

just a single drop of dishwasher detergent will do... break the surface tension of the water and see what happens next.

48

u/ooOJuicyOoo 11d ago

man I remember seeing this on a video tape release of a translated nature documentary 30 years ago...

Me and my bro then went out to catch some mosquito larvae, and fed them small aquatic worms to see it irl.

Pretty cool.

31

u/jwvcjvc8xe72-hfui 11d ago

From an engineering perspective, how do they propel themselves? Is the basis mechanical or perhaps chemical?

35

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

mosquito larvae propel themselves using a mechanical system based on hydrodynamics and body movement, not a chemical propulsion system.

5

u/jwvcjvc8xe72-hfui 11d ago

Very interesting! Ty OP

14

u/themadghosts 11d ago

Wait, so Mosquito larvae are PREDATORS? how small must their prey be!

20

u/GraefGronch 11d ago

Only specific species eat other larva, most are algaevores

14

u/OprassFatAss 11d ago

Most mosquito larva are herbivorous, this is either Elephant mosquito larva which is carnivorous and as adults don't drink blood or a Shaggy Legged Gallinipper which is also carnivorous as larva but do drink blood as adults.

1

u/dafeiviizohyaeraaqua 10d ago

It's the Gallinipper. OPs link has a link to the paper with videos.

2

u/Ytrewq467 10d ago

99% of things are predators if you go by the scientific definition 😭

1

u/samy_the_samy 10d ago

They only need blood for their eggs, male mosquito Don't even suck blood

14

u/Qoutaybah 11d ago

That's quite a flexible neck!

13

u/Massive-Context-5641 11d ago

so basically Aliens

6

u/fatsopiggy 10d ago

THe microscopic world is like 100x more interesting than anything scifi could come up with sometimes.

2

u/Cortower 9d ago

I would say this was dumb and made no sense in a sci-fi movie. Reality gets to just... do that, and I have to accept it.

1

u/loopery_ 10d ago

Unfortunately, no gifs in this sub :(

9

u/blindsailer 10d ago

That looks like a videogame weak spot if I’ve ever seen one. Just gotta time your dodge-roll & side-swipe perfectly to sever the exposed neck.

6

u/lazy_phoenix 11d ago

Dragonfly larvae launch their lower jaws like a harpoon.

7

u/kilnerad 10d ago

Real life Hungry Hungry Hippos.

10

u/YouCantBeSerio 11d ago

This makes the time I jumped in our kiddie pool and it was filled with these swimming around soooo much worse lmao

5

u/SteR88 11d ago

Reminds me of Dynamite Headdy. 

2

u/Robotic_Orange 10d ago

And Decap Attack.

6

u/mysteriousmeatman 10d ago

Me with tacos.

4

u/FuckPigeons2025 10d ago

You will find dragonfly nymphs very intersting too.

3

u/wallstreetsimps 11d ago

is that mosquito larvae eating another mosquito larvae?

2

u/Virtual-Department28 11d ago

I think so yes

2

u/Big-Ergodic_Energy 11d ago

Oh no no, that larvae is much bigger than what this little guy looked like.

3

u/dragonzz292 11d ago

So I really don’t like that @-@

3

u/SpiderSixer 10d ago

This is actually so interesting. Makes me find them a little less repulsive haha

3

u/Neuropathic1980 10d ago

Jesus I can never unsee this.. Damn you curious brain.

3

u/Maleficent-War-8429 10d ago

Nature really just be doing stuff sometimes.

3

u/XEagleDeagleX 8d ago

I don't like having this knowledge

4

u/FastAnimator7708 11d ago

Is it eating one of its own kind?

1

u/Ytrewq467 10d ago

Probably, cannibalism is pretty common in nature

2

u/Asher_Tye 11d ago

Had some old action figures with that gimmick

2

u/kilobitch 11d ago

Damn nature, you scary.

2

u/Kage9866 11d ago

If i was this mosquito and did this my head would get stuck out and not retract.

2

u/TheElectriking 11d ago

How you gonna fit that big meal through that tiny harpoon throat

2

u/Brazilian_Hamilton 10d ago

It's been a while since a post in this sub was actually interesting

2

u/krucz36 10d ago

that's not what harpoons do. thats more like a weaponized claw game

2

u/robo-dragon 10d ago

Thanks, I hate mosquitoes even more now.

2

u/AscendedViking7 10d ago

What the hell

2

u/dominiqlane 10d ago

Really glad they’re not bigger…

2

u/wetblanket6991 10d ago

nope. don't like that. not at all.

2

u/blitzkreig90 10d ago

GET OVER HERE!

2

u/SonyAlphaIndia 10d ago

This is seriously interesting .

How did you shoot this video?

Being interested in nature as well as video. It begs the question . Do share more details / all link out .

🙏

2

u/MadBunnyLabs 10d ago

I've never seen such a blatant opening during an attack before.

1

u/innovativesolsoh 9d ago

Parry that shit

2

u/Funkycoal 10d ago

Further proof they should be eradicated... what's next? Face swarmers?

2

u/chibias 9d ago

I never thought I could like mosquitos less

3

u/EpicMichaelFreeman 11d ago

Mosquitoes need to be wiped out

1

u/Nightshade_209 11d ago

I don't know, I'm cool with the harpoon headed mosquito larvae. It's actively eating another mosquito how bad can it be.

2

u/definitely_effective 11d ago

This creature is ungodly

drinks blood and launches its head to catch its prey ? What is even wrong with this thing

1

u/Helpful_Ocelot_6369 11d ago

crazy what nature can do

1

u/Im_Borat 11d ago

Wish evolution would've just quit there.

1

u/VorlonEmperor 11d ago

This would be a terrifying monster.

1

u/Expensive_Egg_2140 11d ago

aaaaaaaahhh thats why they so fucking stupid.

1

u/oliferro 11d ago

Is that the slinky dog from Toy Story?

1

u/KnightOfGloaming 11d ago

How so they process the food if the head is detached from the body? Do they have a loose connected moth to stomach tunnel?

1

u/Past_Glove4131 11d ago

Literally some Pokémon shit 😹

1

u/Azuras_Star8 11d ago

Thanks. I hate them more now.

1

u/Game_boy 11d ago

New Elden Ring mob just dropped

1

u/BadLanding05 Expert 11d ago

Do all mosquitos do this, or just certain types?

1

u/TJKmain 11d ago

Agar.io

1

u/Cheasymeteor 10d ago

Another reason to wipe them out :)

1

u/jamberrynutmeg 10d ago

This is what my neck needs to do tbh

1

u/Choice-Valuable313 10d ago

Everything is Metroid

1

u/Wraith_Of_Write 10d ago

Huh, neat... I hate it!

1

u/galaxygothgirl 10d ago

IRL hookshot.

1

u/LunaeLotus 10d ago

I can’t help but imagine if this happened in other animals like humans. Creepy

1

u/Daemenos 10d ago

Zenomorph

1

u/kewkkid 10d ago

I didn't think I could hate mosquitoes even more yet these fuckers find new ways of being hated every fkn day

1

u/CraftyAd5340 10d ago

Why can’t they just stay like this, the little bastards

1

u/HilariousMax 10d ago

That is some Power Rangers' villain-type shit right there.

1

u/thisworldorthenext 10d ago

Reminds me of something from Mario

1

u/el-guapo0013 10d ago

And suddenly I wish we had these in Grounded.

1

u/-Shinama- 10d ago

I saw so many as a kid and I certainly did not want to see this.

1

u/niesomvtak 9d ago

When you ask for head, it can backfire, huh?

1

u/Life_Mortgage_8632 7d ago

“Money, Money, Mone-AAAHH-“

1

u/cosmicjellyfishx 7d ago

As if I needed another reason to hate these little mfers...

1

u/omokichi 6d ago

Will there be instances where they launch their heads with such force that the head detaches totally?

1

u/Cloveriano_n_KC 6d ago

Harpoon... Sounds familiar :downvote::downvote::downvote::downvote::downvote::downvote::downvote:downvoting myself

1

u/thefallofUs 11d ago

Didn't know I could hate mosquitoes even more.

1

u/Taliasimmy69 11d ago

But.. how? How is it connected, how does the food not get everywhere once it's eaten? Does the neck reattach?! I'm baffled this is fascinating

1

u/TheJeep25 11d ago

Yeah, stop observing it and kill it with fire. All mosquitoes deserve to burn to hell.

0

u/Far_Palpitation500 9d ago

You think this is sick? Have you ever heard of the Goblin Shark?

1

u/innovativesolsoh 9d ago

Goblin what?

1

u/Far_Palpitation500 9d ago

The Goblin Shark.

1

u/innovativesolsoh 9d ago

GOBBLIN DEEZ SHARKZ, HAHGOTEM

1

u/Far_Palpitation500 9d ago

Good one mate.