Biologists Discover Real Life Jawas In South America

Turns out they’re cockroaches.

Source: blogs.discovermagazine.com  /  via: io9.com

Discover Magazine broke the story about a new species of cockroach in South America that has bioluminescent properties. The roach, known as the Lucihormetica luckae, is covered in bacterial microbes that glow under fluorescent light (above, right) on the same wavelength as a local beetle that happens to be toxic. Biologists believe it to be a mimicking device meant to stave off predators.

As a serendipitous side note, they look like Jawas. Uncanny.

Via: jonathanrosenbaum.com