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Science and Nature

The Pipevine Caterpillar Thrives in a Toxic Love Triangle

See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Get a new perspective on our place in the universe and meet extraordinary new friends. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.

The Pipevine Caterpillar Thrives in a Toxic Love Triangle

Season 8 Episode 10 | 5m 3s | CC

The devilish caterpillars of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly *devour* the California pipevine, never mind that the plant is trying to poison them. Their butterfly moms don’t pollinate the pipevine in return, though. So, the vine traps unlucky gnats in its labyrinthine flowers to do the job.

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