[B] Ecology & Behavioral ecology

[B-32] ルリクワガタ属の産卵痕の意義とは？－産卵行動の観察と産卵痕の分布－

◯Kohei Kubota¹, Shengnan Zhang^1,2 (1. Univ. Tokyo, 2. Anhui Agr. Univ.)

Adult female beetles of the genus Platycerus form unique oviposition scars when they lay eggs on decaying wood. The reason for this behavior and its significance are not well known. To answer this question, we conducted detailed observations of the ovipositing behavior of Platycerus albisomni and analyzed the distribution pattern of their ovipositing scars. Ovipositing behaviors are concentrated during the light period, and during ovipositing, the mycangia filliped expands and inside the oviposition scars. At this time, it is highly likely that the microorganisms held in the mycangia were attached to the area around the eggs.The distribution patterns of the centers of oviposition scars on decaying wood with sufficient ovipositing show significant uniform distribution in most cases. It was shown that female individuals laying eggs at regular intervals on the surface of the host decaying wood.