Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Why do Mexican jumping beans jump?

Mexican jumping beans

What makes Mexican jumping means jump? The answer is less cute than you may have suspected.

Often sold as novelty items and exported worldwide, Mexican jumping beans are actually the seed capsules of a shrub (Sebastiania pavoniana) that have been taken over by the tiny larvae of an attractive grey moth (Cydia saltitans).

Read the rest