OPERATION AND DEFENSIVE ROLE OF ＂GIN TRAPS＂ IN A COCCINELLID PUPA (CYCLONEDA SANGUINEA)

• Published in: Psyche (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 1992; no. 4; pp. 265 - 273
• Main Authors: Eisner, Thomas, Eisner, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limiteds 1992; Wiley
• Subjects: Coccinellidae; Coleoptera; Cycloneda sanguinea
• ISSN: 0033-2615; 1687-7438
• DOI: 10.1155/1992/54859

The flipping behavior of C. sanguinea pupae is evidently defensive. Ants are deterred by the maneuver itself, as well as by its concomitant, the pinching action of the gin traps. Other insect predators (as well as parasitoids?) may be deterred as well, but ants are probably among the principal enemi...