Why fake death? Environmental and genetic control of tonic immobility in larval lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

ABSTRACT: Tonic immobility is a passive antipredator strategy employed late in the predation sequence that may decrease individual mortality in prey animals. Here, we investigate how energetic state and genetic predisposition influence antipredator decision-making in green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch), using simulated predatory encounters. We demonstrate that tonic immobility is a plastic response influenced by energetic resource limitation. Larvae exposed to 1 or 2 days of food deprivation initiate tonic immobility more often and with less physical provocation than individuals fed ad libitum. Recently molted individuals exposed to food deprivation, the individuals most energetically challenged, engage in tonic immobility at a higher rate than any other group. We also find that va

SUBMITTER: Taylor KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10407979 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature