Back from the Dead? Goliath Worms 'Drown' and Recover

And during their pupa stage — encased in a chrysalis before transforming into adult moths — they can survive for days at a time without surfacing. Researchers discovered that the hardy caterpillars of Manduca sexta moths could recover after spending as much as 4 hours immersed in water. The pupae were even more resilient, emerging after a five-day soak and showing no long-term ill effects.