Adapting to Failed Evolution - Miles Lomanno

 Miles Lomanno

11/23/2025


Adapting to failed evolution


I recalled an experience I had about two years ago, where I saw a grub on a sidewalk that was upside down. I took a stick and flipped it back onto its legs, and it stayed still for a second, probably in a state of confusion, and flipped itself back over onto its back. So I was wondering, if it could flip itself over so easily, then what was it doing on its back? And then I noticed it moving while on its back. It was able to wiggle itself forward, moving more like an awkward snake or worm than a legged creature. I went home and did some research. I found out it was a green june beetle larva, and that it has strong hairs on its back that let it move more easily than its little flimsy legs. This got me thinking about humans’ failure to evolve genetically/failure to adapt to the environment, leading us to build infrastructure to adapt the environment to fit our needs, and I realized that this must not be a solely human phenomenon. Evolution failed the june beetle larva because its limbs made for walking don’t let it walk. Its legs are too small and its body is too big. It adapted, however, to learn to flip over and wiggle its way around instead of using its useless legs.

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