30th Annual Student Research Conference
Bug Behavior: Feeding and Grooming Behavior in the Assassin Bug Sinea spinipes
Alyssa K. Johnson
Dr. Laura Fielden, Faculty Mentor
Reduviid biology has been well-researched in hematophagic species, but far fewer studies have explored the biology of entomophagous species, such as Sinea spinipes, a midwest harpactorine reduviid. Studies that have been conducted with S. spinipes (Shurtz and McPherson, 2005; Readio, 1927) have focused primarily on life history. The goal of this study was to describe the feeding and grooming behavior of one S. spinipes individual by observation over a period of several months beginning in August 2016. During the observational period, the bug molted from a fifth instar nymph into an adult and displayed consistent feeding and grooming behaviors. Behaviors described in other harpactorine subfamillies (Louis, 1974), such as pre-feeding grooming rituals, were found to be similar to those displayed by S. spinipes. However, further research is needed to further elucidate behavior patterns of S. spinipes in comparison with other reduviids.
Keywords: Assassin bug, Grooming, Feeding, Reduviidae, Harpactorinae , Sinea spinipes
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 6-
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: