ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the defenses of three common beetles, the mealworm, the ladybird, and the dermestid, against two aggressive potential predators-an invertebrate, fire ants, wood ants, or other species, and a vertebrate. It aims to develop a bioassay, using a known beetle defensive secretion in varying concentrations. The chapter investigates the survival of noxious insects and their mimics through trials using various chemically-altered and colored mealworms presented to chickens. Introduce a chilled ladybug beetle into the feeding arena, and observe the bird's behavior. If the beetle is eaten, introduce a second one and repeat 5 times, recording reaction time for each trial as before. For fun, design students’ own "super beetle" equipped to defend itself against all contingencies. The instructor may wish to post entries and offer some appropriate award for the one judged best able to cope with the world of predators.
