Egg-cannibalism
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Coccinella septempunctata
seven-spot ladybird, seven-spotted ladybug, seven-spotted lady beetle, C-7
Coccinella septempunctata is a predatory lady beetle native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, now widely established in North America following intentional introduction for biological control. Adults measure 6.5–7.8 mm with distinctive red elytra bearing seven black spots. The species is among the most extensively studied coccinellids due to its importance in aphid biocontrol and its invasive success in new ranges. It completes up to five generations annually with a six-week development cycle from egg to adult.
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Disonycha is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) containing approximately 170 species distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Species in this genus are herbivorous, with many showing strong host plant specializations including passion vines (Passiflora), willows (Salix), and legumes. Some species exhibit eruptive population dynamics and at least two passion vine specialists have been documented practicing egg cannibalism (conspecific oophagy) by adults—a behavior first reported for the subfamily Galerucinae.
Euborellia annulipes
Ring-legged Earwig, Ringlegged Earwig
Euborellia annulipes, commonly known as the ring-legged earwig, is a widespread earwig species in the family Anisolabididae. It has been introduced to many regions worldwide and is recognized as a significant natural biological control agent in agricultural systems, particularly in banana groves and cornfields. The species exhibits notable parental care behavior by females, who remain sedentary to guard eggs and nymphs. Males are more mobile and frequently engage in egg cannibalism, though they can distinguish their own offspring from unrelated eggs and reduce cannibalism accordingly. The species has been studied extensively for its predatory activity against pests including Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) and its response to agricultural management practices.
Leptothorax acervorum
acorn ant
Leptothorax acervorum is a small myrmicine ant first described by Fabricius in 1793. It exhibits a Holarctic distribution spanning Europe, northern Asia, and North America. The species is notable for its facultatively polygynous social structure, where colonies may contain one or multiple queens. Workers display a distinctive two-toned coloration with darker head and metasoma contrasting with a lighter mesosoma. Body size increases with latitude following Bergmann's rule, with boreal populations producing workers approximately 10% larger than those from central Europe.