Scientists have recently discovered a remarkable hunting strategy employed by the assassin bug species Pahabengkakia piliceps. This incredible insect is native to Thailand and China. This predatory insect has developed a unique strategy for ambushing its favorite prey: the region’s stingless bees. These findings were published in the world-renowned journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 12.
The Pahabengkakia piliceps hunts using a novel chemical lure at the entrances of bee hives. It paints its legs with resin it’s harvested from the hives, this makes a lovely sticky trap to lure and ensnare unsuspecting bees. This resin does more than lure other insects; it helps the bug carry out its ambush-in-waiting tactics. By smartly applying the resin, the assassin bug sets a bait that lures its prey into an inescapable trap, guaranteeing a victorious kill.
Scientists from China’s Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden were studying Pahabengkakia piliceps as early as 2021. Their lab-based observations revealed that these bugs possess a death-defying survival instinct. They enthusiastically coat their front legs with resin in its absence, even in the absence of bees. These behaviors evoke fascinating questions regarding their predation intuitiveness and adaptability.
Fernando Soley, a behavioral ecologist involved in the study, noted, “They’re not using the resin as it is.… They’re manipulating it.” This kind of manipulation shows a surprising degree of behavior typical of tool use in insects, hinting at a remarkable evolutionary leap.
Li Tian, an entomologist and coauthor of the study, emphasized the instinctual nature of this behavior, stating, “They have the impulse to put resin on their front legs.” Since this instinct seems to be so important for their hunting success, we wondered if this was a more general pattern of behavior among predatory insects.
Pahabengkakia piliceps is one part in the complex tango that is the predator-prey relationship. It underlines how ever-important environmental factors are, including the access to raw materials, such as resin. According to Zhaoyang Chen, a researcher who worked on this study, understanding these behaviors is crucial. Our understanding of these processes can provide some important perspectives on ecological interactions and evolutionary biology.
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