In Hawaii, there are about a dozen small caterpillars - yes, insects - can breathe both in and out of water. Now I know what you're thinking: "Awesome, butterflies can go underwater!" Wrong. These are moth caterpillars. You know, the nocturnal butterflies that eat your sweaters.
What is interesting is this: the caterpillars build silk cases in different shapes. These shapes are determined by species and they breathe in air like other insects, through small openings called spiracles. When the caterpillars are underwater, they most likely get the oxygen they need to survive through their skin.
All of these caterpillars are from the same genus: Hyposmocoma. Not all are amphibious, so it's difficult to figure out how this evolution happened. It seems to be at random. But the amphibious Hyposcmocoma caterpillars typically live near rocks off mountain streams.
So now Hawaii is now known for several things: volcanoes, tanning, surfing, and amphibious insects.
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