To Bee or Not to Bee?
We all know that many animals have the ability to mimic the environment or a less tasty animal in order to hide from predators. But what about animals that mimic other species, not in order to hide from predators, but to take advantage of a species resources? An example of this behavior was recently exhibited in blister beetle larvae.
According to a recent study at Kelso Dunes in San Francisco, researchers Saul-Gershenz and Jocelyn Millar observed clusters of blister beetle larvae are able to mimic the physical shape and smell of female bees. The beetle larvae are able to demonstrate this behavior so well that male bees try to mate with them. Then the beetle larvae make their way back to the nest where they receive free food and shelter from the bees. But how do they trick male bees and make this journey to the bee's nest?
Researchers observed the beetle larvae hatch on plants, where they bunch into a ball and release a chemical similar to a female bee pheromone that attracts male bees. Then when a male bee comes near by, the beetle larvae extend their front legs, latching onto the back of the male bee, while it is tricked into a fake copulation. But when this male bee mates with an actual female bee, the beetle larvae on the male bee latch on to the female bee. She flies back to the nest, unaware that she brought the beetle larvae with her. Then the beetle larvae feed on the bee's eggs and nectar to grow and start the cycle again.
Researchers concluded that this is a survival tool that the blister beetles developed through evolution to survive in its harsh desert habitat in California. Now researchers are currently trying to uncover this behavior in depth by discovering how the beetle larvae communicate and collaborate with each other. They suggest that some of the larvae may act as leaders for the group. It will be interesting to learn more new information about this as it comes up.
Posted by Chamel413 (6)
posted by PWH @ 8:54 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I think that is a very unusual but interesting article. It just seems weird how a bee could be so fooled by such a different creature such as a beetle, especially enough to try to mate with them. I agree that it would be interseting to learn more about this study, I'm sure there's also a ton of other animals doing similar mimicing behaviors just like this that I would like to learn about.
Posted by KDB
I chose this article because I found it fascinating as well. It's interesting that a insect can perform a fairly complicated behavior to fool another insect.
Some important information I wanted to add was that according to the same article, scientists claim that this behavior is the first known example of cooperative aggressive mimicry in insects. This behavior is cooperative because the blister beetle larvae work together to perform the task of building a female bee, and releasing a pheromone to attract male bees. This behavior is also aggressive because once the blister beetle larvae reach the bee’s nest, they eat the bee’s eggs and food.
Revised by Chamel413
I really enjoyed this blog post. It is not surprising to me that beetles mimic bees, however I find it astonishing that they are capable of tricking the male bees so well. It is very interesting that the beetles are able to mimic the shape and smell of female bees. The fact that the beetles use this mimicry as a way to get free food is kind of funny. I wonder if the feeding that the beetle does on the bees larvae has affected the bee population at all. Good job on this post.
Posted by TNS
shapeshifting wanna-bee sugar momma beatles. neat article find. but a question for you, what is stopping these beatles from consuming the entire bee nest if all these beatles are infesting them? is there no way for the bees to counteract this behavior.
Posted by T2
I enjoyed reading this post, I have a great interest in Biomimicry, where humans imitate animal behavior or apply a behavioral principal to a human system (think using a synthetic protein to dissolve calcium carbonate build up in water pipes instead of harsh chemicals) so reading about this behavior brings me full circle.
The most amazing thing about this particular case of behavior is the actual representation of the false shape of the female bee and the release of the 'pseudo-like' pheromone to fool the male bees. The physiological and physical choreography is exquisite and the idea of piggy-backing the male bee to the next female bee to facilitate transport to the nest to obtain sustainance and nectar to insure survival to another life cycle is complex in it's detail. One can only think of a Fed-Ex type operation and smile at the logistical similarities.
posted by Catherine S.
course particiapnt
I enjoyed reading this post, I have a great interest in Biomimicry, where humans imitate animal behavior or apply a behavioral principal to a human system (think using a synthetic protein to dissolve calcium carbonate build up in water pipes instead of harsh chemicals) so reading about this behavior brings me full circle.
The most amazing thing about this particular case of behavior is the actual representation of the false shape of the female bee and the release of the 'pseudo-like' pheromone to fool the male bees. The physiological and physical choreography is exquisite and the idea of piggy-backing the male bee to the next female bee to facilitate transport to the nest to obtain sustenance and nectar to insure survival to another life cycle is complex in it's detail. One can only think of a Fed-Ex type operation and smile at the logistical similarities.
posted by Catherine S.
course participant
First posted on 10/23/06
(OIT Problem in Dorm at that time)
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