MANTIDS AND MILKWEED BUGS - EFFICACY OF APOSEMATIC COLORATION AGAINST INVERTEBRATE PREDATORS

After attacking and consuming milkweed bugs (O. fasciatus) raised on seeds of milkweed (A.syriaca), the mantid Tenodera ardifolia sinensis regurgitates and shows signs of poisoning by cardenolides, secondary substances sequestered by the bugs from their host plants. After several encounters, mantids refuse to attack milkweed bugs altogether; they even refuse to attack palatable and non-toxic O. fasciatus raised on seeds of sunflower, a plant lacking cardenolides. This is the 1st report of the efficacy of automimicry as a defense against invertebrate predators, and the 1st report of emetic potential of substances derived from milkweed against insects.