White plant shoots, wax-producing insects and other white structures made by arthropods: A mimicry complex?

Yamazaki, Kazuo

doi:10.14411/eje.2017.043

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(37 reference statements)

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“…However, as spittlebugs do not consume leaf tissue, this explanation should not apply to them. Yamazaki (2017) suggested that the foam's white colour might function as a signal to herbivorous insects and mammals to avoid plants attacked recently. He claimed that the colour 'white' is indicative of reduced plant quality to herbivores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of biofoam in shielding spittlebug nymphs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cercopidae) against bright light

Meyer‐Rochow

Fereres

et al. 2017

Ecological Entomology

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1. Biofoam in spittlebugs has traditionally been seen as a defence against predation and a microclimate that reduces the risks of overheating and drying out. This study addresses the possible role of the foam as a light attenuator.2. Nymphs exhibit higher mortalities when reared under brighter light (1800-2000 lux) than under less bright light (600-800 lux). At all developmental stages, photoavoidance is strongest when the nymphs are depleted of foam covers. Firstand second-instar nymphs appear to be the most vulnerable to exposures by bright light.3. Smaller bubbles are more effective as light attenuators than are larger ones. As younger instars possess smaller canals from which bubbles are released and, furthermore, exhibit higher concentrations of proteins in bubble liquid, they can produce smaller-sized bubbles and their foams are more effective at reducing light than are those of older nymphs.4. The findings of this study show that most of the visible and UV radiation is reflected by the foam: transmittance of visible light was 15% at 600 nm and 12% at 350 nm.5. These results demonstrate that spittlebug foam also possesses properties that render it an effective barrier against potentially damaging solar radiation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of biofoam in shielding spittlebug nymphs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cercopidae) against bright light

Meyer‐Rochow

Fereres

et al. 2017

Ecological Entomology

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“…[60]. (iii) The foam's multiple scattering of light in all directions causes the white foam colour [1,61], which might function as a physical signal to herbivorous insects and mammals commonly avoiding such whitish structures in nature already occupied by other phytophagous species [62]. (iv) The foam reflection protects from bright light (1800–2000 lux) and UV radiation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adhesive properties of Aphrophoridae spittlebug foam

Hoch,

Pingel,

Voigt

et al. 2024

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Aphrophora alni spittlebug nymphs produce a wet foam from anal excrement fluid, covering and protecting themselves against numerous impacts. Foam fluid contact angles on normal (26°) and silanized glass (37°) suggest that the foam wets various substrates, including plant and arthropod surfaces. The pull-off force depends on the hydration state and is higher the more dry the fluid. Because the foam desiccates as fast as water, predators once captured struggle to free from drying foam, becoming stickier. The present study confirms that adhesion is one of the numerous foam characteristics resulting in multifunctional effects, which promote spittlebugs' survival and render the foam a smart, biocompatible material of biological, biomimetic and biomedical interest. The sustainable ‘reuse' of large amounts of excrement for foam production and protection of the thin nymph integument suggests energetic and evolutionary advantages. Probably, that is why foam nests have evolved in different groups of organisms, such as spittlebugs, frogs and fish.

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“…Wax production is a common defensive strategy used by plants [ 1 ], herbivores [ 2 , 3 ] and predators [ 4 , 5 ] to reduce their susceptibility to their natural enemies. Furthermore, predators may indirectly appropriate wax from other producers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Costs and Benefits of Wax Production in the Larvae of the Ladybeetle Scymnus nubilus

Pacheco

Borges

Branco

et al. 2021

Insects

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BACKGROUND: Larvae of the minute aphidophagous Scymnus nubilus Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are common predators in apple orchards, covered by a wax layer that might act as a defense mechanism against natural enemies. However, the costs and benefits of protection conferred by wax remain to be assessed. We tested the following hypothesis: there is a trade-off in wax producing ladybeetles between the protection conferred by wax cover and the physiological or behavioral costs associated with its production. We predict that: (1) wax production is an efficient defensive mechanism (against intraguild predation), (2) wax production is associated with detrimental physiological (growth, reproduction) or behavioral effects (behavioral compensation: increased biomass consumption). RESULTS: Tests were carried out in the laboratory with wax and waxless larvae of S. nubilus, with and without lacewing larvae of Chrysoperla agilis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) being used as a potential intraguild predator of the coccinellid. Waxless individuals were more susceptible to intraguild predation by lacewing larvae. Adults originating from waxless larvae were lighter than the ones originating from wax larvae, suggesting a metabolic cost resulting from a constant need of wax production. Body-weight gain and conversion efficiency were lower in waxless larvae. Biomass consumption was similar, showing that waxless larvae did not compensate for the physiological cost by eating more aphid biomass. CONCLUSION: The results indicate the potential existence of a trade-off between growth and protection associated with wax production.

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White plant shoots, wax-producing insects and other white structures made by arthropods: A mimicry complex?

Cited by 5 publications

References 56 publications

The role of biofoam in shielding spittlebug nymphs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cercopidae) against bright light

The role of biofoam in shielding spittlebug nymphs (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cercopidae) against bright light

Adhesive properties of Aphrophoridae spittlebug foam

Costs and Benefits of Wax Production in the Larvae of the Ladybeetle Scymnus nubilus

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