Abstract
Summary Under certain conditions, sharp tapping to the metasternum and anterior abdominal sternites causes both sexes of the normally procryptic Australian stick insect Eurycnema goliath (Gray) to face the source of disturbance and to display the vivid red undersurfaces of the remigia of the wings, and tegmina and a pair of eye-like spots on the metacoxae. Then the metathoracic legs are rapidly struck togethe once or a number of times, each strike being accompanied by a swishing sound apparently produced by wing movement. A somewhat similar reaction was noted in a female of the stick insect Tropidoderus childrenii (Gray) which has no red. It is suggested that this reaction is defensive, enabling the insect sometimes to bluff predators by undergoing a sudden transformation from a procryptic appearance to a startling pseudoaposematic one.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
