Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed
Chemical secretions are an effective means by which insects may deter potential enemies, already being studied extensively with regard to their chemicals, synthesis, toxicity, and functions. However, these defensive secretions have been little studied in Megaloptera. Herein, the fluid expelling beha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/1/86 |
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| author | Pei Yu Chengquan Cao Xingyue Liu Fumio Hayashi |
| author_facet | Pei Yu Chengquan Cao Xingyue Liu Fumio Hayashi |
| author_sort | Pei Yu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chemical secretions are an effective means by which insects may deter potential enemies, already being studied extensively with regard to their chemicals, synthesis, toxicity, and functions. However, these defensive secretions have been little studied in Megaloptera. Herein, the fluid expelling behavior of adult alderflies (Sialidae), fishflies (Corydalidae: Chauliodinae), and dobsonflies (Corydalidae: Corydalinae), all of the order Megaloptera, is described in detail regarding the timing and possible function of this behavior. When disturbed artificially, both males and females could expel fluid from the anus. However, the frequency of expelling was much lower in alderflies than in fishflies and dobsonflies. The amount of expelled fluid relative to body weight was also smaller in alderflies. In fishflies and dobsonflies, the amount of expelled fluid decreased with adult age, probably because the fluid is little replenished once expelled. The cream-colored fluid seems to be meconial fluid produced via the Malpighian tubules at the pupal stage, which is usually discharged at adult emergence in most other holometabolous insects. However, adult fishflies and dobsonflies often expel it vigorously by bending their abdomen when disturbed after emergence. Thus, the fluid expelling may be an anti-predatory behavior, particularly in younger adults that can expel a relatively large amount of fluid. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-34f4321ee0494ad1b5266e18afad8a71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-34f4321ee0494ad1b5266e18afad8a712023-11-30T22:48:50ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502023-01-011418610.3390/insects14010086Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When DisturbedPei Yu0Chengquan Cao1Xingyue Liu2Fumio Hayashi3Department of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa 1-1, Hachioji 192-0397, Tokyo, JapanCollege of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614004, ChinaDepartment of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, ChinaDepartment of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minamiosawa 1-1, Hachioji 192-0397, Tokyo, JapanChemical secretions are an effective means by which insects may deter potential enemies, already being studied extensively with regard to their chemicals, synthesis, toxicity, and functions. However, these defensive secretions have been little studied in Megaloptera. Herein, the fluid expelling behavior of adult alderflies (Sialidae), fishflies (Corydalidae: Chauliodinae), and dobsonflies (Corydalidae: Corydalinae), all of the order Megaloptera, is described in detail regarding the timing and possible function of this behavior. When disturbed artificially, both males and females could expel fluid from the anus. However, the frequency of expelling was much lower in alderflies than in fishflies and dobsonflies. The amount of expelled fluid relative to body weight was also smaller in alderflies. In fishflies and dobsonflies, the amount of expelled fluid decreased with adult age, probably because the fluid is little replenished once expelled. The cream-colored fluid seems to be meconial fluid produced via the Malpighian tubules at the pupal stage, which is usually discharged at adult emergence in most other holometabolous insects. However, adult fishflies and dobsonflies often expel it vigorously by bending their abdomen when disturbed after emergence. Thus, the fluid expelling may be an anti-predatory behavior, particularly in younger adults that can expel a relatively large amount of fluid.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/1/86anti-predatory behaviordefensive secretiondefensive spraymeconiumpotential predators |
| spellingShingle | Pei Yu Chengquan Cao Xingyue Liu Fumio Hayashi Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed Insects anti-predatory behavior defensive secretion defensive spray meconium potential predators |
| title | Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed |
| title_full | Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed |
| title_fullStr | Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed |
| title_short | Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed |
| title_sort | adults of alderflies fishflies and dobsonflies megaloptera expel meconial fluid when disturbed |
| topic | anti-predatory behavior defensive secretion defensive spray meconium potential predators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/14/1/86 |
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