Polygamy
Guides
Chrysochus cobaltinus
Cobalt Milkweed Beetle, Blue Milkweed Beetle
Chrysochus cobaltinus is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, notable for its iridescent cobalt-blue coloration and specialized association with milkweed and dogbane plants. The species sequesters toxic cardenolides from its host plants for chemical defense against predators. Adults emerge in early summer and remain on host plants for approximately six weeks. The species exhibits polygamous mating with extended post-copulatory mate guarding by males, and hybridizes with its sister species C. auratus in narrow contact zones.
Drepanosiphum
sycamore aphids, maple aphids
A genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, primarily associated with maple trees (Acer). Species include economically significant pests such as the sycamore aphid (D. platanoidis), which has been extensively studied for its complex life cycle involving wing dimorphism, seasonal polyphenism, and host-dependent reproductive strategies. The genus exhibits sophisticated flight behavior correlated with body size and wing loading, and serves as a model system for studying aphid population dynamics and predator-prey interactions.
Laphria gilva
Orange-patched Laphria
Laphria gilva is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Orange-patched Laphria. It is found in the Nearctic realm. The species has been documented mating on pine trees or stumps, with both sexes exhibiting polygamous behavior. As a member of the genus Laphria, it belongs to a group known for effective bumble bee mimicry, though specific mimetic characteristics for this species require further documentation.