Reflex bleeding

A seven-spotted ladybird ( Coccinella septempunctata ) defends itself with reflex bleeding

The autohaemorrhaging is a defense method of various beetle species, including many ladybugs , blister beetles , soldier beetles and other insects to deter predators. The animals secrete reddish or yellowish-brownish drops of hemolymph , which are toxic or have an unpleasant smell and taste (so-called defense secretion ), from glands between the tibia (lower leg) and femur (thigh) in the case of ladybirds . This often has an immediate deterrent effect on a potential attacker.

See also

• Cantharidin

Web links

Commons : Reflex Bleeding  - Collection of Images

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The Asian ladybug causes immense damage. On: welt.de from November 6, 2012.
2. ↑ Biology of scent (stink) and defensive glands. Research project in the field of developmental biology (Wimmer) at the University of Göttingen. On: uni-goettingen.de , accessed on December 3, 2018.