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Arthropods, 2020, 9(3): 85-91
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Article

Conspicuousness and toxicity of Coccinellidae: An aposematic review

Muhammad Aslam
Department of Zoology, Islamia College Peshawar, Pakistan

Received 13 April 2020;Accepted 28 May 2020;Published 1 September 2020
IAEES

Abstract
Coccinellids (commonly known as ladybirds) mostly exhibit bright clouration and play a vital role in biological control of pests of important crops such as aphids and scale insects. Nevertheless, they are characterized by the possession of a group of unpleasant and poisonous defence chemicals. These chemicals along with bright colouration form an aposematic enemy barrier. Many conspicuously coloured adults of coccinellidae have elytra with contrasting red-and-black or yellow-and-black patterns generally serving as aposematic (warning) colouration. Larvae and pupae of ladybirds may also be aposematically coloured with dark and bright areas on their surface. In this review, the significance of colouration and toxicity in ladybirds has been highlighted.

Keywords aposematism;warning signals;chemical defence;carotenoids;alkaloids.

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