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Scientists Discover Solar Powered Hornets

Posted by samzenpus on from the beware-of-the-electric-bees dept.

adeelarshad82 writes "The oriental hornet is more active during the day, and tends to become even more active as the temperature rises. And now scientists have discovered the reason: the hornets are solar powered. It turns out that the distinctive yellow stripe on the hornet's abdomen is actually full of tiny protrusions that gather sunlight and harness it for energy. The insect also features a special pigment, called xanthopterin, that helps with the process."

2 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Chrysler? by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Now in the electric car business, too!?!

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
  2. Re:What does the wasp do with it? by mswhippingboy · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    What do you think? It uses it to charge it's tiny little smart phone!
    (probably a T12 Wasp http://www.planetoidandroid.com/2010/08/wasp-t12-phone-for-android/ )

    --
    Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train.