The color similarity of some predatory insects and bombardier beetles is due to the presence of a common natural enemy. Reported by Kobe University.
Bombardier beetles have a unique feature – when disturbed, they spray hot liquid with a temperature of about 100 degrees towards the threat. This liquid is heated by chemical reactions and a pop is heard when released. bedbug protection Sirthenea flaviries families of hunters are much simpler – they can sting animals with the help of a proboscis. At the same time, the color and appearance of these two insects are similar, although they are not related.
Shinji Sugiura and his colleagues decided to find out the reason for this similarity. To do this, they observed the fate of these insects alongside their natural enemy, the pond frog. Observations were carried out under laboratory conditions. It turned out that 100% of the frogs reject (do not eat or spit) bombardier insects and 75% reject predators, suggesting that the bombardier is better protected from frogs than bed bugs. The authors note that some frogs feel pain after eating and spit out insects.
During another experiment, the authors decided to find out how much the frequency of insect attacks had decreased after encountering a similar experiment. Thus, frogs that had previously encountered bedbugs reduced the attack frequency of the scorers from 75.0% to 21.7%. Experience with bombardier beetles reduced the rate of frog attacks on bedbugs from 91.3% to 40.0%
Thus, the similarity of these animals can be mutually beneficial.
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