Chemical-defense-circumvention
Guides
Ectrichodiinae
Millipede Assassin Bugs
Ectrichodiinae are a large subfamily of assassin bugs comprising more than 600 species in approximately 115 genera. They are specialized predators of millipedes, capable of circumventing the noxious chemical defenses of their prey. The subfamily exhibits notable diversity in coloration, with both cryptic and aposematic patterns, including bright metallic blue, red, or yellow and black combinations. Females frequently show wing reduction and extreme sexual dimorphism.
Phengodes
glowworms
Phengodes is a genus of glowworm beetles in the family Phengodidae, containing more than 30 described species. The genus is particularly diverse in Mexico, where 21 species have been documented. Larvae of at least some species are specialized predators of millipedes, employing unique strategies to circumvent their prey's chemical defenses.
Phengodes laticollis
glowworm beetle
Phengodes laticollis is a glowworm beetle in the family Phengodidae, notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism and bioluminescence across all life stages. Females are larviform, larger than males, and produce yellow or green light from organs on trunk segments. Males are smaller, winged, and possess large curved mandibles. The species has been documented circumventing millipede chemical defenses through specialized predatory behavior.