Figures 5.8


A copulating pair of stink or shield bugs of the genus  Poecilometis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).
Figures 5.8. A copulating pair of stink or shield bugs of the genus Poecilometis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Many heteropteran bugs engage in prolonged copulation, which prevents other males from inseminating the female until either she becomes non-receptive to further males or she lays the eggs fertilized by the “guarding” male.

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  Oviposition by a South African ladybird beetle, Chilomenes lunulata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).
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  The generalized structure of a libelluloid dragonfly egg (Odonata: Corduliidae, Libellulidae).