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Issue: Vol. 5621 No. 4: 17 Apr. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-04-17
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5621.4.5
Page range: 465-474
Abstract views: 96
PDF downloaded: 7

“Playing poop”: an interesting case of bird dropping masquerade in leafmining Buprestidae (Agrilinae, Tracheini)

Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Nazaré, 481—Ipiranga, 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Carmagnola, Entomologia, Parco cascina Vigna, Via S. Francesco di Sales 188.10022, Carmagnola, Italy
Laboratorio di Entomologia e Parassitologia Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma 3, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
Laboratorio di Entomologia e Parassitologia Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma 3, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
Body waxes camouflage coloration morphology predation Coleoptera

Abstract

The present contribution discusses the possible defensive camouflage strategy adopted by Leiopleura venustula (Gory, 1841), a South American leafmining buprestid beetle (Buprestidae, Agrilinae, Tracheini). This species presents a coloration pattern resembling older dry bird droppings and displays the capability to secrete a large amount of highly convoluted wax filaments on its dorsum. These filaments, specifically secreted by a series of pores present in the rough areas of pronotum and elytra, apparently improve the quality of the camouflage mimicking the (white) uric acid commonly found in bird faeces. SEM images of distribution of pores and wax filaments are presented.

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How to Cite

Migliore, L.J., Curletti, G., Giulio, A.D. & Ruzzier, E. (2025) “Playing poop”: an interesting case of bird dropping masquerade in leafmining Buprestidae (Agrilinae, Tracheini). Zootaxa, 5621 (4), 465–474. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.4.5