Title

Maternal defensive behavior of Umbonia ataliba treehoppers

Alternative Title

Comportamiento defensivo maternal de los salta hojas Ataliba Umbonia

Creator

Sarah Anvik

Files

Publication Date

December 2006

Abstract

A population of Umbonia ataliba (Homoptera: Membracidae) located between 1300 and 1500 m in Monteverde, Costa Rica was studied from October to November 2006. The maternal defensive behavior exhibited by these subsocial insects toward nymphs of different developmental stages was experimentally investigated. The purpose of my study was to determine how the defensive behavior changed from eggs to adults and in response to two different predator types. I attached dead wasps to long wooden sticks and then simulated predator approaches toward family groups of eggs, second instar and fourth instars nymphs. I found that the defensive behavior by females guarding nymphs of different ages differed from random in type and frequency. I determined that female parents with second instars were the most aggressive, and that the most common behavior type among all groups proved to be kicking. In regards to the behavior changes exhibited against predator types, females were generally more aggressive when approached with the black wasp, but there was no significant change in the frequency of behaviors. Estudie de octubre a noviembre del 2006 una población de Umbonia ataliba (Homoptera: Membracidae), ubicado entre los 1300 y 1500m en Monteverde, Costa Rica. Estudie la conducta defensiva maternal en las diferentes etapas de desarrollo de las ninfas. El propósito de mi estudio fue determinar como la conducta defensiva cambia de los huevos a adultos y en respuesta a dos tipos diferentes de depredadores.

Keywords

Membracidae, Insects--Behavior, Insectos--Comportamiento, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde, CIEE Fall 2006, CIEE Otoño 2006

Geographic Location

Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Monteverde Zone; Costa Rica--Puntarenas--Zona de Monteverde

Type

Text

Media Type

Reports

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute MVI

Identifier

M39-00357

Recommended Citation

Anvik, Sarah, "Maternal defensive behavior of Umbonia ataliba treehoppers" (2006). Tropical Ecology and Conservation [Monteverde Institute]. 306.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/306