Architecture, construction, retention, and repair of faecal shields in three tribes of tortoise beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae: Cassidini, Mesomphaliini, Spilophorini).

ABSTRACT: Animal constructions are the outcomes of complex evolutionary, behavioural, and ecological forces. A brief review of diverse animal builders, the materials used, and the functions they provide their builders is provided to develop approaches to studying faecal-based constructions and faecal-carrying in leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Field studies, rearing, dissections, photography, and films document shields constructed by larvae in two species in two tribes of the subfamily Cassidinae, Calyptocephalaattenuata (Spaeth, 1919) (Spilophorini), and Cassidasphaerula Boheman, 1853 (Cassidini). Natural history notes on an undetermined Cassidini species and Stolascucullata (Boheman, 1862) (Tribe Mesomphaliini) outline the life cycle of tortoise beetles and explain t

SUBMITTER: Chaboo CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10483569 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature