There is a lot going on on this sheet: the eggs of the leaf bug Acanthocoris Scabber, reminiscent of pomegranate seeds, can be seen from which the associated nymphs are hatched shortly before. The photo has just won the first prize in the category “Collective Social Affairs” in the photo competition of the specialist magazines BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology. The student Sritam Kumar Sethy from the University of Berhampur in India recorded it.
The nymphs feed on plant juice and can significantly damage crops. The “youngsters” bugs are therefore feared in South and Southeast Asia. But the young bugs can also be useful for the ecosystem. Because of their “attack”, the nibbled plants are suggested to produce bitter chemicals in their leaves. These bitter substances make the plants as unattractive as possible for their predators and thus more resistant. In addition, other insects also feed on the nymphs of the leaf bug or use them as a host. “Nymphs are shaped by nature and at the same time shape them. They play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, promote biodiversity and contribute to the complex network of life,” says Sethy.
In the photo, the nymphs crouch closely. This has several advantages for the young bugs: “By joining together, they improve their protection against predators and reduce the likelihood that a single individual will become prey,” explains Sethy. “This collective lifestyle also gives you better access to important resources such as food and moisture, which is particularly crucial in the sensitive early stages of life.” On the underside of the leaf, where the nymphs frolic in the picture, there is a higher humidity. In addition, the vessels of the plant that transport water and nutrients are running here – ideal conditions for the hungry adolescents.
The BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology photo competition annually selects the best photos taken by researchers in the four categories “collective social behavior”, “life in motion”, “colorful strategies” and “research in action”.
