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(Image: Troy Alexander/Tambopata Research Centre)

Like a tiny insect Stonehenge, the mystery of this 2-centimetre-wide structure has captured the imagination of entomologists and amateur bug-spotters around the world.

Troy Alexander, who noticed the unusual construction while volunteering at the in Peru, calls it a “maypole with a horse corral”. He posted photos on and asking if anyone could identify it – and despite his cry for help going viral on blogs and websites around the world, it remains unanswered.

Alexander says that he saw several of these around the , where he was staying. In each case, they looked the same, so they’re not likely to be a half-finished cocoon or larger structure, for example.

See more – especially if you think you know what it is.