Like the bordered plant bug nymphs, leaf-footed bug nymphs are often found gathered in groups. Therefore, the bug nymph pictured below appears to be unusually alone.
A leaf-footed bug nymph (Coreidae) on a lantana leaf.
However, looking from another angle reveals that the "lone" bug nymph is actually just the tip of the iceberg of bug nymphs!
Many more leaf-footed bug nymphs hanging underneath the leaf.
The large group of bug nymphs shared the limited space on the underside of the leaf peacefully. However, another group feeding on unripe lantana berries nearby was not nearly so tranquil.
As I watched, an extended fight broke out between two of the nymphs. They may have been competing over access to the berries. Yet, there seemed to be plenty of berries available, which should have made a fight unnecessary. An alternative explanation is that one of the nymphs may have tried to switch from eating berries to eating the other nymph, as some bug species are known to be cannibalistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment