What is a Mexican jumping bean? And why do they jump? (2024)
Mexican jumping beans are not beans but actually caterpillars. They are Cydia deshaisiana moth caterpillars maturing in the fallen seedpods of Sebastiania shrubs, which thrive in the hot, dry Mexican climate.
The adult moth lays its egg on a developing pod, and the hatched larva nibbles its way inside. The youngster reacts to light and heat, violently jerking its body in an attempt to seek shade, causing the seed to jump.
It only stops moving when it is out of the sun’s dangerous, drying glare. After the pupal stage, the silver-grey adult moth eats its way out of the seedpod, and the cycle starts again.
Why do Mexican jumping beans jump? The adult moth lays its egg on a developing pod, and the hatched larva nibbles its way inside. The youngster reacts to light and heat, violently jerking its body in an attempt to seek shade, causing the seed to jump.
The pod is usually tan to brown. They are from the shrub Sebastiania pavoniana, often also referred to as "jumping bean". However, they are not related to actual beans (legume plants), but rather to spurges. The beans are considered non-toxic but are not generally eaten.
Poison Control Center lists the Mexican Jumping Bean as harmless and non-toxic. The only danger imposed in case of swallowing one are: Choking Hazard: Not recommended for children under 4 years of age.
Jumping Beans respond to warmth and light to get them active. Gently shake their plastic apartment to wake them up from their nap. Place the Jumping Beans under a bright light for a few minutes. Be patient, they just woke up from a nap and it may take a few minutes for them to begin jumping.
Mexican jumping beans are not beans but actually caterpillars. They are Cydia deshaisiana moth caterpillars maturing in the fallen seedpods of Sebastiania shrubs, which thrive in the hot, dry Mexican climate. Why are moths attracted to light?
Mexican jumping bean, the seed of certain Mexican shrubs, especially those of the genus Sebastiania, of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), that contain larvae of a small olethreutid moth (Laspeyresia salitans).
If it's lucky, the larva will hop until it finds a nice place in the shade. So the moth larvae in Mexican jumping beans jump to change their climate, and the ones in tamboti fruit jump to escape from their seedpods.
Do not expose your beans to extremely hot temperatures i.e. accidentally left in the hot car or in cold places like your refrigerator. Violent shaking of your beans or dropping them to the ground may inflict irreversible brain damage rendering your beans lifeless. The only tricks your beans do is simply jump.
Eventually, they will form a cocoon inside of the bean and go dormant. Only a small percentage will survive pupation and emerge as a tiny moth. The moth that emerges only lives a few days, and is harmless to clothing, plants, etc.
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