01844nas a2200157   4500008004100000022001400041245010600055210006900161260001600230300001400246490000800260520131000268100002001578700002201598856006601620       2018                        eng d  a0024-406600aHornworm counterattacks: defensive strikes and sound production in response to invertebrate attackers0 aHornworm counterattacks defensive strikes and sound production i  cMay-18-2018  a496 - 5050 v1233 a<p>Caterpillars (i.e. lepidopteran larvae) have evolved multiple defences against predators, with some large caterpillars showing aggressive defences (e.g. strikes and/or sound production). Although such behaviours can startle or warn vertebrate predators, defences against invertebrates remain unclear. We investigated the behavioural responses of the hornworm Langia zenzeroides (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) against the invertebrate attacker Calosoma maximowiczi (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Fifth (last) instars of L. zenzeroides exhibited a striking response, in which the larva rapidly bent its head and thorax towards the body part stimulated by C. maximowiczi attacks. Strikes were also accompanied by opening of the mandibles, followed by sound production or regurgitation. In some cases, L. zenzeroides larvae caught the legs of C. maximowiczi and threw the beetles using their mandibles. Such counterattacks completely defended against attackers. The sounds that L. zenzeroides generated (pulse durations, 82&ndash;314 ms; dominant frequencies, 5.0&ndash;8.7 kHz; sound pressure level, 44.0&ndash;56.9 dB SPL) were produced by forcing air through the eighth pair of abdominal spiracles. Our results indicate that hornworm larvae are able to deter predacious invertebrates using multiple defences.</p>
1 aSugiura, Shinji1 aTakanashi, Takuma  uhttps://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/123/3/496/4850692