Abstract
Insects use various types of behaviour, chemical defences, mimetic, aposematic or cryptic appearances as anti-predatory strategies. Among insects, carabid beetles of the genus Brachinus are distasteful prey because they discharge an irritating “cloud” of quinones when threatened. These beetles live in aggregations and adopt warning (conspicuous pattern) colours and chemicals to create a template that is easily learnt by predators. Another carabid beetle, Anchomenus dorsalis, mimics the colours and cuticular profile of Brachinus and is usually found in Brachinus aggregations. In this paper we report results from laboratory observations on feeding choice of the following natural predators - Crocidura leucodon (Insectivora: Soricidae), Ocypus olens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and Podarcis sicula (Reptilia: Lacertidae) - on carabid beetle species. Comparing the number of attacks of predators towards aposematic and non-aposematic prey, there was a statistically significant preference towards non-aposematic prey.
Highlights
IntroductionVisual and chemical anti-predatory strategies influence trophic webs, as defensive substances (such as semiochemicals or ecomones) (sensu Pasteels 1977, 1982) play an important role (Pasteels et al 1983) as deterrents against predators
Visual and chemical anti-predatory strategies influence trophic webs, as defensive substances play an important role (Pasteels et al 1983) as deterrents against predators
Amara anthobia and A. aenea were attacked with high frequency (Fig. 1a), while Brachinus sclopeta and Anchomenus dorsalis with low frequency (X2 = 23.76, DF = 3, P < 0.001)
Summary
Visual and chemical anti-predatory strategies influence trophic webs, as defensive substances (such as semiochemicals or ecomones) (sensu Pasteels 1977, 1982) play an important role (Pasteels et al 1983) as deterrents against predators.
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