Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by bh42222 5227 days ago
I think the way it works for most most (maybe even all) insects is to use air to blow themselves up much like a balloon to get out of the egg or cocoon.
1 comments

where does this air come from; is the cocoon/egg not airtight?
While an egg or cocoon might be airtight, it must also still remain air permeable. Everything must be able to breathe. So while there might not be a visible flow of air, like through an open window, oxygen and CO2 still make their way in and out all the time.

Also initially the insect might break the egg/cocoon open without extra air, just by simple mechanics, but once it's out it starts to pump air into itself.

Possibly, but it popped the top open. Maybe it's possible to do that by just flexing some muscles.