Animals are known for their fierce protection and devotion
to their offspring, but did you ever wonder how insects protect their young?
The instinct to preserve children of any species is strong and likely extends
to insects. Just as a mother lion keeps her cubs safe, it’s possible an insect
parent will similarly watch over its young.
Do Insects Care for Their Young?
Do insects care for their young? Well, not in the same sense
as humans or even other animals. Much of the insect life cycle consists of
laying eggs and moving on. Most species are not especially attentive parents
but often do give their children a way of protecting themselves. Nature has a
way of creating the necessary defenses so young have a chance to grow up and
reproduce themselves.
It is rare for both insect parents to care for their brood, but it does happen in a few cases. Wood roaches, dung beetles, passalid beetles, and some bark beetles engage in bi-parental care during some portions of the life cycle.
Burying beetle males are on the papa job full time in a rare
co-parenting marathon. Hive and colony activity highlights group infant care
such as in a beehive or ant colony. This involves many insects protecting the
young. Bugs do exhibit behaviors like hiding eggs and providing food.
How Insects Protect Their Young
In addition to evolving insect defenses for offspring, active parenting comes in several forms. Some insects will gather nymphs or young onto their backs or around them to shelter them from predators. The giant water bug father, for example, carries the eggs on his back until they hatch. The female Brazilian tortoise beetle gathers her young under and around her.
Other insects, such as wood roaches, do stick around for a
while as the young develop into adults. Wood roaches care for eggs for up to
three years until they hatch. Web spinner mothers stay with their young and
protect them in silken galleries. While unusual, insects protecting their
children does occur.
Still, it is the norm for insects to drop and run. What they
do leave behind are specialized defenses unique to each species.
Insect Defenses for Offspring
The more common way insect parents protect young is by
leaving behind chemical defenses. Feces is a popular deterrent, for instance.
It may form a shield, repel via smell or taste, and send a homing signal. In
the case of dung beetles, both parents share in the young’s care, with the male
going off to hunt while the female enlarges her brood balls. Mothers are
usually concerned with their eggs and may leave behind a toxin or chemical that
wards off predators.
Spittlebug
mothers leave froth around the eggs which hydrates them and shields them from
enemies. Eggs are deposited in secret hiding spots or coated with a protective
shield.
Insects aren’t the most loving of parents, but they do try
to ensure their young’s survival with certain natural tricks.
Animals are known for their fierce protection and devotion
to their offspring, but did you ever wonder how insects protect their young?
The instinct to preserve children of any species is strong and likely extends
to insects. Just as a mother lion keeps her cubs safe, it’s possible an insect
parent will similarly watch over its young.
Do Insects Care for Their Young?
Do insects care for their young? Well, not in the same sense
as humans or even other animals. Much of the insect life cycle consists of
laying eggs and moving on. Most species are not especially attentive parents
but often do give their children a way of protecting themselves. Nature has a
way of creating the necessary defenses so young have a chance to grow up and
reproduce themselves.
It is rare for both insect parents to care for their brood, but it does happen in a few cases. Wood roaches, dung beetles, passalid beetles, and some bark beetles engage in bi-parental care during some portions of the life cycle.
Burying beetle males are on the papa job full time in a rare
co-parenting marathon. Hive and colony activity highlights group infant care
such as in a beehive or ant colony. This involves many insects protecting the
young. Bugs do exhibit behaviors like hiding eggs and providing food.
How Insects Protect Their Young
In addition to evolving insect defenses for offspring, active parenting comes in several forms. Some insects will gather nymphs or young onto their backs or around them to shelter them from predators. The giant water bug father, for example, carries the eggs on his back until they hatch. The female Brazilian tortoise beetle gathers her young under and around her.
Other insects, such as wood roaches, do stick around for a
while as the young develop into adults. Wood roaches care for eggs for up to
three years until they hatch. Web spinner mothers stay with their young and
protect them in silken galleries. While unusual, insects protecting their
children does occur.
Still, it is the norm for insects to drop and run. What they
do leave behind are specialized defenses unique to each species.
Insect Defenses for Offspring
The more common way insect parents protect young is by
leaving behind chemical defenses. Feces is a popular deterrent, for instance.
It may form a shield, repel via smell or taste, and send a homing signal. In
the case of dung beetles, both parents share in the young’s care, with the male
going off to hunt while the female enlarges her brood balls. Mothers are
usually concerned with their eggs and may leave behind a toxin or chemical that
wards off predators.
Spittlebug
mothers leave froth around the eggs which hydrates them and shields them from
enemies. Eggs are deposited in secret hiding spots or coated with a protective
shield.
Insects aren’t the most loving of parents, but they do try
to ensure their young’s survival with certain natural tricks.