this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2024
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Do bugs get fat? (lemmy.world)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by cheese_greater@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 33 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

Insects probably can't get fat.

There is some flexibility between segments in the abdomen to allow for some stretching but not enough for significant expansion. Bedbugs for example hardly change size after feeding.

But if we expand the definition of "bug" a bit and include arachnids, then things look different. These have very flexible abdomens than can expand significantly. Prime example would be ticks, which get really, really "fat" after feeding.

[–] Aviandelight@mander.xyz 17 points 4 months ago (1 children)

You most definitely can overfeed scorpions and tarantulas. I once had a rose hair that I bought off someone who didn't have time for it anymore and the little girl was so "fat" that I had to put her in a low top cage to keep her from climbing for a few months until she slimmed down. She would have ruptured if she fell from a height of a foot or more.

[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 7 points 4 months ago

Yeah, those are arachnids.

[–] Tyoda@lemm.ee 15 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

You just gotta look at honeypot ants. Those babies can s t r e t c h.

edit: they are actually converting their food. I thought they were literally stealing honey... whoops

[–] tobogganablaze@lemmus.org 7 points 4 months ago

Oh yeah, that's a great example!