Bootlace worm fires toxic slime that kills crabs
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- Bootlace worm ranks among the longest animals in the world, described as super-long and super-elastic
- The worm's mucus is toxic enough to kill crabs and cockroaches, according to the source
- Researchers suggest the mucus could serve as the basis for new insecticides, per the source
- The worm's length draws the source's comparison to extending ladders, giraffes, and the Odyssey
Why it matters: If the mucus's toxicity can be isolated and formulated, it would give agritech and pesticide developers a novel biological lead for insect control—the source attests only that it "could" be a basis, with no timeline, tested compound, or commercial partner named.
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