Defensive mechanisms in blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) include a wide variety of
behavioral responses, chemical defense, and conspicuous external colorations. Although …

Darkling beetles are conspicuous and abundant animals, particularly in the arid regions of
the world, where they fill an ecological niche as nutrient recyclers. Despite their widespread …

Simple Summary Meloidae, also called blister beetles, are known to actively produce
cantharidin, a toxic terpene with a defensive function that is released externally by reflex …

The evolution of obligate kleptoparasitism, the theft of food, has led to remarkable
innovations, including physical weapons and chemical signals that can evolve into chemical …

Larvae of some leaf beetles carry masses of feces covering parts or all of the body, which is
called a “fecal shield”. In general, the shield is thought to be a defense structure against …

Larvae of tortoise beetles are postulated to have fecal shields as the main defensive strategy
against predators. Such a device protects beetles both physically and chemically. In order to …

The formation of protective covers called elytra is considered to be a crucial morphological
adaptation that has greatly supported the extraordinary radiation of beetles. However, in …

Arthropods use a variety of environmental cues to navigate between and locate hosts. In
agricultural systems, clarifying the relevant cues and their effects on arthropod behavior can …

Burying beetles (Nicrophorus vespilloides) bear distinctive and variable orange-black
patterning on their elytra and produce an anal exudate from their abdomen when …

Blister beetles owe their name to their ability to release cantharidin, a blistering terpene, the
highest concentration of which is retained in male accessory glands. The anatomy and …