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'''''Elasmucha grisea''''', common name '''parent bug''', is a species of [[shield bug]]s or stink bugs belonging to the family [[Acanthosomatidae]]. The term '''parent bugs''' includes also the other species of the genus ''[[Elasmucha]]'' and some species of the family [[Acanthosomatidae]].<ref>Gollner-Scheiding U (2006) Family Acanthosomatidae. Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region 5:166-181</ref>
'''''Elasmucha grisea''''', common name '''parent bug''', is a species of [[shield bug]]s or stink bugs belonging to the family [[Acanthosomatidae]]. The term '''parent bugs''' includes also the other species of the genus ''[[Elasmucha]]'' and some species of the family [[Acanthosomatidae]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Gollner-Scheiding | first1 = U | year = 2006 | title = Family Acanthosomatidae | url = | journal = Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region | volume = 5 | issue = | pages = 166–181 }}</ref>


==Subspecies==
==Subspecies==
Subspecies within ''Elasmucha grisea'' include:<ref>[http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=urn:lsid:faunaeur.org:taxname:453898 EU-Nomen] </ref>
Subspecies within ''Elasmucha grisea'' include:<ref>[http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=urn:lsid:faunaeur.org:taxname:453898 EU-Nomen]</ref>
* ''Elasmucha grisea cypria'' Josifov, 1971
* ''Elasmucha grisea cypria'' Josifov, 1971
* ''Elasmucha grisea grisea'' (Linnaeus, 1758)
* ''Elasmucha grisea grisea'' (Linnaeus, 1758)


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
''Elasmucha grisea'' is a rather common and widespread species present in most of [[Europe]]. <ref name=Fauneur> [http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=453898 Fauna europaea] </ref>
''Elasmucha grisea'' is a rather common and widespread species present in most of [[Europe]].<ref name=Fauneur>[http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=453898 Fauna europaea]</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
''Elasmucha grisea'' can reach a length of {{convert|6.5|-|8.8|mm}}. Males are smaller than females. These medium-sized shieldbugs are usually brown-reddish, but there are also gray (hence the Latin species name ''grisea'') and green-brown specimen. Connexivum is black and white. The upperside is covered with several dark dots. The scutellum usually shows an evident black patch. <ref name=BB> [http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Acanthosomatidae/elasmucha_grisea.html British Bugs]</ref> The ventral face is largely punctuated with black. Lateral corners of the pronotum are simply beveled. The front corners of the pronotum show a more pronounced tooth. Antennas are blackish in the male, dark brown in the female. <ref name=Cle> François Dusoulier, Claire Mouquet [http://www.gretia.org/phocadownload/cahiers_gretia/IA01/Invertebres_Armoricains_N1_7-13.pdf Clé de détermination des Acanthosomatidae Signoret, 1864 du Massif armoricain (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).]</ref>
''Elasmucha grisea'' can reach a length of {{convert|6.5|-|8.8|mm}}. Males are smaller than females. These medium-sized shieldbugs are usually brown-reddish, but there are also gray (hence the Latin species name ''grisea'') and green-brown specimen. Connexivum is black and white. The upperside is covered with several dark dots. The scutellum usually shows an evident black patch.<ref name=BB>[http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Acanthosomatidae/elasmucha_grisea.html British Bugs]</ref> The ventral face is largely punctuated with black. Lateral corners of the pronotum are simply beveled. The front corners of the pronotum show a more pronounced tooth. Antennas are blackish in the male, dark brown in the female.<ref name=Cle>François Dusoulier, Claire Mouquet [http://www.gretia.org/phocadownload/cahiers_gretia/IA01/Invertebres_Armoricains_N1_7-13.pdf Clé de détermination des Acanthosomatidae Signoret, 1864 du Massif armoricain (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).]</ref>


This species, like other ''parent bugs'' possess [[Metathorax|methatoracic]] and abdominal glands, which discharge a foul smelling [[secretion]].<ref name="roth">Roth S, Adaschkiewitz, Fischer C (2006) Notes on the bionomics of ''Elasmucha grisea'' (LINNAEUS 1758) (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae) with special regard to joint brood guarding. zugleich Kataloge der OÖ, Landesmuseen Neue Serie 50:1153–1167</ref><ref name="hanelova">Hanelova J, Vilimova J (2013) Behaviour of the central European Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) during oviposition and parental care Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae biologicae 98:433-457</ref> This secretion is used to deter potential enemies and is sometimes released when the bug is disturbed.
This species, like other ''parent bugs'' possess [[Metathorax|methatoracic]] and abdominal glands, which discharge a foul smelling [[secretion]].<ref name="roth">Roth S, Adaschkiewitz, Fischer C (2006) Notes on the bionomics of ''Elasmucha grisea'' (LINNAEUS 1758) (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae) with special regard to joint brood guarding. zugleich Kataloge der OÖ, Landesmuseen Neue Serie 50:1153–1167</ref><ref name="hanelova">Hanelova J, Vilimova J (2013) Behaviour of the central European Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) during oviposition and parental care Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae biologicae 98:433-457</ref> This secretion is used to deter potential enemies and is sometimes released when the bug is disturbed.


==Life cycle ==
==Life cycle ==
Adults of ''Elasmucha grisea'' can be found all year around. In fact this species overwinters as an adult. Mating occurs in the spring and new adults can be found in August.<ref name=BB/> These shield bugs feed on various woody plants, preferably on birch ([[Betula]] species), but also on alder ([[Alnus]] species), beech ([[Fagus (plant)|Fagus]] species), holly ([[Ilex]] species), spruce ([[Picea]] species), etc. <ref name=Cle/> Like most shield bugs, ''Elasmucha grisea'' and other parent bugs suck plant [[sap]] and require [[symbiotic bacteria]] for their digestion.<ref name="fischer">Fischer C (2006) The biological context and evolution of Pendergrast’s organs of Acanthosomatidae (Heteroptera, Pentatomoidea) 50:1041-1054</ref> They obtain [[symbionts]] at an early age: the mother covers her eggs with bacteria so that the [[larvae]] ingest them as they feed on the egg case.<ref name="fischer"/> Both adults and larvae readily feed on developing seeds, and breeding individuals can be observed on host plants with many young [[catkin]]s.<ref name="mappes1">{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | last2 = Kaitala | first2 = A | year = 1995 | title = Host-plant selection and predation risk for offspring of the parent bug | url = | journal = Ecology | volume = 76 | issue = | pages = 2668–2670 | doi=10.2307/2265839}}</ref> However, they seem to avoid trees with a high [[predation]] risk.
Adults of ''Elasmucha grisea'' can be found all year around. In fact this species overwinters as an adult. Mating occurs in the spring and new adults can be found in August.<ref name=BB/> These shield bugs feed on various woody plants, preferably on birch ([[Betula]] species), but also on alder ([[Alnus]] species), beech ([[Fagus (plant)|Fagus]] species), holly ([[Ilex]] species), spruce ([[Picea]] species), etc.<ref name=Cle/> Like most shield bugs, ''Elasmucha grisea'' and other parent bugs suck plant [[sap]] and require [[symbiotic bacteria]] for their digestion.<ref name="fischer">Fischer C (2006) The biological context and evolution of Pendergrast’s organs of Acanthosomatidae (Heteroptera, Pentatomoidea) 50:1041-1054</ref> They obtain [[symbionts]] at an early age: the mother covers her eggs with bacteria so that the [[larvae]] ingest them as they feed on the egg case.<ref name="fischer"/> Both adults and larvae readily feed on developing seeds, and breeding individuals can be observed on host plants with many young [[catkin]]s.<ref name="mappes1">{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | last2 = Kaitala | first2 = A | year = 1995 | title = Host-plant selection and predation risk for offspring of the parent bug | url = | journal = Ecology | volume = 76 | issue = | pages = 2668–2670 | doi=10.2307/2265839}}</ref> However, they seem to avoid trees with a high [[predation]] risk.


==Parental care==
==Parental care==
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The common name of ''Elasmucha grisea'' comes from the relatively rare insect behaviour of prolonged caring for eggs and juveniles, exhibited by females of this species. Predators, such as bugs, beetles, earwigs and ants, can eliminate all the offspring of the parent bug if there is no maternal care. The repertoire of female [[defensive behaviour]]s includes wing fanning, body jerking, tilting towards the enemy and, finally, releasing of 'nasty’ odours from the scent glands,<ref name="mappes1"/><ref>Jordan KHC (1958) Die Biologie von ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Beitr Entomol 8:385-397</ref><ref>Melber A, Hölsher L, Schmidt GH (1980) Further studies on the social behaviour and the ecological significance in ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Hem.-Het.: Acanthostomatidae) Zool Anz Jena 205:27-38</ref>
The common name of ''Elasmucha grisea'' comes from the relatively rare insect behaviour of prolonged caring for eggs and juveniles, exhibited by females of this species. Predators, such as bugs, beetles, earwigs and ants, can eliminate all the offspring of the parent bug if there is no maternal care. The repertoire of female [[defensive behaviour]]s includes wing fanning, body jerking, tilting towards the enemy and, finally, releasing of 'nasty’ odours from the scent glands,<ref name="mappes1"/><ref>Jordan KHC (1958) Die Biologie von ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Beitr Entomol 8:385-397</ref><ref>Melber A, Hölsher L, Schmidt GH (1980) Further studies on the social behaviour and the ecological significance in ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Hem.-Het.: Acanthostomatidae) Zool Anz Jena 205:27-38</ref>


After oviposition, the parent bug female stands over the egg batch and shields it throughout egg development. Predation appears to limit the clutch size in ''E. grisea''. Experiments have shown that large females lay larger egg clutches than small females. However, when the clutch size was manipulated, small females protecting large clutches lost significantly more eggs than large females guarding small clutches or females in the control groups (guarding clutches of optimal size).<ref>Mappes J, Kaitala A, (1994) Experiments with ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Does a female parent bug lay as many eggs as she can defend? ''Behav Ecol'' 5:314-317</ref>
After oviposition, the parent bug female stands over the egg batch and shields it throughout egg development. Predation appears to limit the clutch size in ''E. grisea''. Experiments have shown that large females lay larger egg clutches than small females. However, when the clutch size was manipulated, small females protecting large clutches lost significantly more eggs than large females guarding small clutches or females in the control groups (guarding clutches of optimal size).<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | last2 = Kaitala | first2 = A | year = 1994 | title = Experiments with ''Elasmucha grisea'' L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Does a female parent bug lay as many eggs as she can defend? | url = | journal = Behav Ecol | volume = 5 | issue = | pages = 314–317 }}</ref>


After hatching, larvae of the parent bug remain in a tight aggregation, feeding on their empty egg shells.<ref name="hanelova"/> When any larva tries to abandon the aggregation, the female tilts her body, stretches her antennae to reach the larva and pushes the larva back to the aggregation.<ref name="roth"/> During the second and third [[instar]] they move, for food, towards catkins then back to the leaf with the female in close attendance.<ref name="hanelova"/> The female keeps a lookout for the larvae constantly and manages them with touches of her antennae. Finally, larvae form smaller groups and disperse at the end of the third instar, at which point the female leaves them.
After hatching, larvae of the parent bug remain in a tight aggregation, feeding on their empty egg shells.<ref name="hanelova"/> When any larva tries to abandon the aggregation, the female tilts her body, stretches her antennae to reach the larva and pushes the larva back to the aggregation.<ref name="roth"/> During the second and third [[instar]] they move, for food, towards catkins then back to the leaf with the female in close attendance.<ref name="hanelova"/> The female keeps a lookout for the larvae constantly and manages them with touches of her antennae. Finally, larvae form smaller groups and disperse at the end of the third instar, at which point the female leaves them.


[[File: Acanthosomatide - Elasmucha grisea with eggs of Subclytia rotundiventris.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''E. grisea'' with the white eggs of ''[[Subclytia rotundiventris]]'' on pronotum]]
[[File: Acanthosomatide - Elasmucha grisea with eggs of Subclytia rotundiventris.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''E. grisea'' with the white eggs of ''[[Subclytia rotundiventris]]'' on pronotum]]
It has been noted that, in ''E. grisea'', [[moulting]]s during the early instar stages can be asynchronous.<ref name="roth"/> While some larvae are still at the first instar stage, others have already moulted to the stage of second instar larvae and abandon the brood leaf for food. Under such circumstances, the female is no longer able to provide effective protection for all her larvae. The offspring of different females make contact with each other and form mixed groups. There is no kin-recognition in this species. Both single and joint guarding females provide parental care for their own larvae or other females’ offspring. Larvae are likely to benefit from 'kindergartens', when their mothers disappear or die.<ref name="roth"/> Moreover, joint-guarding females defend the egg clutches much more successfully than single females.<ref>Mappes J, Kaitala A, Alato RV (1995) Joint brood guarding in parent bugs – an experiment on defence against predation. ''Behav Ecol Sociobiol'' 36: 343-347</ref>
It has been noted that, in ''E. grisea'', [[moulting]]s during the early instar stages can be asynchronous.<ref name="roth"/> While some larvae are still at the first instar stage, others have already moulted to the stage of second instar larvae and abandon the brood leaf for food. Under such circumstances, the female is no longer able to provide effective protection for all her larvae. The offspring of different females make contact with each other and form mixed groups. There is no kin-recognition in this species. Both single and joint guarding females provide parental care for their own larvae or other females’ offspring. Larvae are likely to benefit from 'kindergartens', when their mothers disappear or die.<ref name="roth"/> Moreover, joint-guarding females defend the egg clutches much more successfully than single females.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | last2 = Kaitala | first2 = A | last3 = Alato | first3 = RV | year = 1995 | title = Joint brood guarding in parent bugs – an experiment on defence against predation | url = | journal = Behav Ecol Sociobiol | volume = 36 | issue = | pages = 343–347 }}</ref>


The [[Tachinidae|tachinid]] fly, ''[[Subclytia rotundiventris]]'', is a specialist [[endoparasite]] of the parent bug females.<ref name="mappes2">{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | year = 2010 | title = Parasites and female ability to defend offspring in the parent bug ''Elsamucha grisea'' L | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01030.x | journal = Ethology | volume = 97 | issue = | pages = 76–80 }}</ref> The parasite inserts a single egg through the upper [[prothorax]] of an ''E. grisea'' female and, after hatching, the larva feeds on its host. At the beginning the parasite feeds only on the non-vital parts of the bug, but finally it kills it and [[pupa]]tes outside the host. Interestingly, the larva ‘permits’ the parent bug to continue caring for the juveniles until their third stage. In experiments, the wing-fanning (regarded as the most effective defensive behaviour of the parent bug) did not differ significantly between parasited and non-parasited females until the [[Nymph (biology)|nymphs]] were at the second instar stage. However, with older nymphs, females were much less effective in their defensive behaviour and often died before the end of maternal care. Considering that the older nymphs are more mobile and may escape from predators, some offspring of the parasited females of the parent bug probably survive and may also be potential hosts for the new generation of the parasite.<ref name="mappes2"/>
The [[Tachinidae|tachinid]] fly, ''[[Subclytia rotundiventris]]'', is a specialist [[endoparasite]] of the parent bug females.<ref name="mappes2">{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | year = 2010 | title = Parasites and female ability to defend offspring in the parent bug ''Elsamucha grisea'' L | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01030.x | journal = Ethology | volume = 97 | issue = | pages = 76–80 }}</ref> The parasite inserts a single egg through the upper [[prothorax]] of an ''E. grisea'' female and, after hatching, the larva feeds on its host. At the beginning the parasite feeds only on the non-vital parts of the bug, but finally it kills it and [[pupa]]tes outside the host. Interestingly, the larva ‘permits’ the parent bug to continue caring for the juveniles until their third stage. In experiments, the wing-fanning (regarded as the most effective defensive behaviour of the parent bug) did not differ significantly between parasited and non-parasited females until the [[Nymph (biology)|nymphs]] were at the second instar stage. However, with older nymphs, females were much less effective in their defensive behaviour and often died before the end of maternal care. Considering that the older nymphs are more mobile and may escape from predators, some offspring of the parasited females of the parent bug probably survive and may also be potential hosts for the new generation of the parasite.<ref name="mappes2"/>
Line 69: Line 69:
*{{Cite web|title=Experiments with Elasmucha grisea L. |publisher=by Johanna Mappes and Arja Kaitala |url=http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/5/3/314.abstract}}
*{{Cite web|title=Experiments with Elasmucha grisea L. |publisher=by Johanna Mappes and Arja Kaitala |url=http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/5/3/314.abstract}}
*{{Cite web|title=Distribution and Taxonomy |url=https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NHMSYS0020309200}}
*{{Cite web|title=Distribution and Taxonomy |url=https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NHMSYS0020309200}}
*{{Cite journal|title= Ovary structure in a presocial insect, Elasmucha grisea (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae)|author= A.Ogorzałek, A.Trochimczuk | pmid=19682601 | doi=10.1016/j.asd.2009.08.001 |volume=38 |journal=Arthropod Struct Dev |pages=509-19}}
*{{Cite journal|title= Ovary structure in a presocial insect, Elasmucha grisea (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae)|author= A.Ogorzałek, A.Trochimczuk | pmid=19682601 | doi=10.1016/j.asd.2009.08.001 |volume=38 |journal=Arthropod Struct Dev |pages=509–19 |year=2009}}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | year = 2010 | title = Parasites and female ability to defend offspring in the parent bug ''Elsamucha grisea'' L | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01030.x | journal = Ethology | volume = 97 | issue = | pages = 76–80 }}
*{{cite journal | last1 = Mappes | first1 = J | year = 2010 | title = Parasites and female ability to defend offspring in the parent bug ''Elsamucha grisea'' L | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01030.x | journal = Ethology | volume = 97 | issue = | pages = 76–80 }}
*U. Maschwitz, Ch. Gutmann. ''[http://www.springerlink.com/content/3h83625873m24852/ Trail and alarm pheromones in Elasmucha grisea (Heteroptera: Acanthosomidæ)]''. Insectes Sociaux 1979; 26 (2): 101-111.
*{{cite journal | last1 = Maschwitz | first1 = Ch. Gutmann | year = 1979 | title = Trail and alarm pheromones in Elasmucha grisea (Heteroptera: Acanthosomidæ) | url = http://www.springerlink.com/content/3h83625873m24852/| journal = Insectes Sociaux | volume = 26 | issue = 2| pages = 101–111 }}


[[Category:Acanthosomatidae]]
[[Category:Acanthosomatidae]]

Revision as of 16:36, 29 November 2017

Parent bug
Elasmucha grisea, upperside
Front view
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Suborder:
Heteroptera
Superfamily:
Pentatomoidea
Family:
Acanthosomatidae
Genus:
Elasmucha
Species:
E. grisea
Binomial name
Elasmucha grisea
Synonyms
  • Cimex grisea Linnaeus, 1758[1]

Elasmucha grisea, common name parent bug, is a species of shield bugs or stink bugs belonging to the family Acanthosomatidae. The term parent bugs includes also the other species of the genus Elasmucha and some species of the family Acanthosomatidae.[2]

Subspecies

Subspecies within Elasmucha grisea include:[3]

  • Elasmucha grisea cypria Josifov, 1971
  • Elasmucha grisea grisea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution

Elasmucha grisea is a rather common and widespread species present in most of Europe.[1]

Description

Elasmucha grisea can reach a length of 6.5–8.8 millimetres (0.26–0.35 in). Males are smaller than females. These medium-sized shieldbugs are usually brown-reddish, but there are also gray (hence the Latin species name grisea) and green-brown specimen. Connexivum is black and white. The upperside is covered with several dark dots. The scutellum usually shows an evident black patch.[4] The ventral face is largely punctuated with black. Lateral corners of the pronotum are simply beveled. The front corners of the pronotum show a more pronounced tooth. Antennas are blackish in the male, dark brown in the female.[5]

This species, like other parent bugs possess methatoracic and abdominal glands, which discharge a foul smelling secretion.[6][7] This secretion is used to deter potential enemies and is sometimes released when the bug is disturbed.

Life cycle

Adults of Elasmucha grisea can be found all year around. In fact this species overwinters as an adult. Mating occurs in the spring and new adults can be found in August.[4] These shield bugs feed on various woody plants, preferably on birch (Betula species), but also on alder (Alnus species), beech (Fagus species), holly (Ilex species), spruce (Picea species), etc.[5] Like most shield bugs, Elasmucha grisea and other parent bugs suck plant sap and require symbiotic bacteria for their digestion.[8] They obtain symbionts at an early age: the mother covers her eggs with bacteria so that the larvae ingest them as they feed on the egg case.[8] Both adults and larvae readily feed on developing seeds, and breeding individuals can be observed on host plants with many young catkins.[9] However, they seem to avoid trees with a high predation risk.

Parental care

Elasmucha grisea with eggs

The common name of Elasmucha grisea comes from the relatively rare insect behaviour of prolonged caring for eggs and juveniles, exhibited by females of this species. Predators, such as bugs, beetles, earwigs and ants, can eliminate all the offspring of the parent bug if there is no maternal care. The repertoire of female defensive behaviours includes wing fanning, body jerking, tilting towards the enemy and, finally, releasing of 'nasty’ odours from the scent glands,[9][10][11]

After oviposition, the parent bug female stands over the egg batch and shields it throughout egg development. Predation appears to limit the clutch size in E. grisea. Experiments have shown that large females lay larger egg clutches than small females. However, when the clutch size was manipulated, small females protecting large clutches lost significantly more eggs than large females guarding small clutches or females in the control groups (guarding clutches of optimal size).[12]

After hatching, larvae of the parent bug remain in a tight aggregation, feeding on their empty egg shells.[7] When any larva tries to abandon the aggregation, the female tilts her body, stretches her antennae to reach the larva and pushes the larva back to the aggregation.[6] During the second and third instar they move, for food, towards catkins then back to the leaf with the female in close attendance.[7] The female keeps a lookout for the larvae constantly and manages them with touches of her antennae. Finally, larvae form smaller groups and disperse at the end of the third instar, at which point the female leaves them.

E. grisea with the white eggs of Subclytia rotundiventris on pronotum

It has been noted that, in E. grisea, moultings during the early instar stages can be asynchronous.[6] While some larvae are still at the first instar stage, others have already moulted to the stage of second instar larvae and abandon the brood leaf for food. Under such circumstances, the female is no longer able to provide effective protection for all her larvae. The offspring of different females make contact with each other and form mixed groups. There is no kin-recognition in this species. Both single and joint guarding females provide parental care for their own larvae or other females’ offspring. Larvae are likely to benefit from 'kindergartens', when their mothers disappear or die.[6] Moreover, joint-guarding females defend the egg clutches much more successfully than single females.[13]

The tachinid fly, Subclytia rotundiventris, is a specialist endoparasite of the parent bug females.[14] The parasite inserts a single egg through the upper prothorax of an E. grisea female and, after hatching, the larva feeds on its host. At the beginning the parasite feeds only on the non-vital parts of the bug, but finally it kills it and pupates outside the host. Interestingly, the larva ‘permits’ the parent bug to continue caring for the juveniles until their third stage. In experiments, the wing-fanning (regarded as the most effective defensive behaviour of the parent bug) did not differ significantly between parasited and non-parasited females until the nymphs were at the second instar stage. However, with older nymphs, females were much less effective in their defensive behaviour and often died before the end of maternal care. Considering that the older nymphs are more mobile and may escape from predators, some offspring of the parasited females of the parent bug probably survive and may also be potential hosts for the new generation of the parasite.[14]

Gallery

  • Elasmucha grisea with eggs
    Elasmucha grisea with eggs
  • A female is guarding her nest.
    A female is guarding her nest.
  • Aggregation of nymphs
    Aggregation of nymphs
  • Young nymph
    Young nymph

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fauna europaea
  2. ^ Gollner-Scheiding, U (2006). "Family Acanthosomatidae". Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region. 5: 166–181.
  3. ^ EU-Nomen
  4. ^ a b British Bugs
  5. ^ a b François Dusoulier, Claire Mouquet Clé de détermination des Acanthosomatidae Signoret, 1864 du Massif armoricain (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).
  6. ^ a b c d Roth S, Adaschkiewitz, Fischer C (2006) Notes on the bionomics of Elasmucha grisea (LINNAEUS 1758) (Heteroptera, Acanthosomatidae) with special regard to joint brood guarding. zugleich Kataloge der OÖ, Landesmuseen Neue Serie 50:1153–1167
  7. ^ a b c Hanelova J, Vilimova J (2013) Behaviour of the central European Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) during oviposition and parental care Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae biologicae 98:433-457
  8. ^ a b Fischer C (2006) The biological context and evolution of Pendergrast’s organs of Acanthosomatidae (Heteroptera, Pentatomoidea) 50:1041-1054
  9. ^ a b Mappes, J; Kaitala, A (1995). "Host-plant selection and predation risk for offspring of the parent bug". Ecology. 76: 2668–2670. doi:10.2307/2265839.
  10. ^ Jordan KHC (1958) Die Biologie von Elasmucha grisea L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Beitr Entomol 8:385-397
  11. ^ Melber A, Hölsher L, Schmidt GH (1980) Further studies on the social behaviour and the ecological significance in Elasmucha grisea L. (Hem.-Het.: Acanthostomatidae) Zool Anz Jena 205:27-38
  12. ^ Mappes, J; Kaitala, A (1994). "Experiments with Elasmucha grisea L. (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae). Does a female parent bug lay as many eggs as she can defend?". Behav Ecol. 5: 314–317.
  13. ^ Mappes, J; Kaitala, A; Alato, RV (1995). "Joint brood guarding in parent bugs – an experiment on defence against predation". Behav Ecol Sociobiol. 36: 343–347.
  14. ^ a b Mappes, J (2010). "Parasites and female ability to defend offspring in the parent bug Elsamucha grisea L". Ethology. 97: 76–80. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1994.tb01030.x.

External links

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