Ladybug larvae use dung as fighting weapons

Learn the unique and very 'economical' self-defense method of this ladybug.

Combat weapons of ladybug larvae

Self-defense is one of the instinctive actions of all living things. Each species has a different way of defending itself, ranging from staggering with parts of the body or emitting creepy sounds that threaten the enemy.

Recently, researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered a very unique self-defense animal - the ladybug with the use of its own feces as a weapon.

According to experts, ladybirds are not happy with eating and sleeping all day, they use their very long and mobile anus to build 'towers' with waste on their backs. When threatened, they will not hesitate to use this weapon to defend themselves.

The size of these ' towers ' varies from 50 - 100mm, depending on the ability of each larvae to ' produce' . There were small defensive weapons used as a sword but there were also large-sized ones spread out like a shield.

Ladybug larvae are a species very sensitive to danger. When realizing a potential threat, or simply seeing the shadow of a scientist come, immediately the larvae will raise their weapons towards the enemy.

At the same time, the mother ladybug will also control the surrounding area, supporting the protection of the larvae.The defense system created by the mother and daughter of the ladybug will be communicated through the creaking sounds they create.

Caroline Chaboo, a biologist at Kansas University, highly appreciated the maternal love of this insect. She said, the individual lady beetles willing to spend 2-3 weeks to fight with their children, or even until the real danger passes. These mothers are constantly upholding vigilance until their children reach adulthood.

Mother moths protect their babies since they hatch from eggs. In about 2 months - the larval maturation time, the mother ladybug is always with the children as shown with the ball to make sure no larvae get lost from the herd. In addition to armed themselves with waste, there are many interesting information in the world of ladybirds.

When it comes to adulthood, ladybirds will abandon the harmful weapon made from their waste. They will no longer need that because as adults, the development framework allows them to increase their ability to hide when in danger.

In addition, on the back of the ladybug will have the appearance of wings with a variety of colorful and iridescent colors. This makes the appearance of the ladybug be eye-catching and 'much more elegant '.

Biologist Caroline Chaboo said that the structure of the wings of ladybug is very special. Beneath the hard crust are gaps containing color solutions. Controlling this fluid helps the ladybug to change the color of the wings easily.

The change of wings not only solved the aesthetic problem, but also specially helped the ladybug in camouflage . In addition, there are a number of ladybirds who are masters of potions, so changing the wings to bright colors also helps them attract and destroy huge prey.