Leaving home: predation and the dispersal of larvae from the maternal burrow of Bledius spectabilis, a subsocial intertidal beetle

摘要: Females of the intertidal subsocial beetle, Bledius spectabilis Kraatz (Staphylinidae), look after their eggs and young larvae in burrows saltmarsh mud. Field observations showed that beetle disperse from maternal burrow wowards end first instar. The dispersing belonged to a restricted age-group dispersed only once, at night (between 2200 0400 hours). They moved rapidly on surface soil search cracks holes which start own independent burrows. nocturnal dispersal overlapped with activity predatory carabid Dicheirotrichus gustavi Crotch. ability different ages survive attack by was tested field experiments. Young taken were always eaten attacked them. Older survived average least one carabid. By delaying until latter part instar, can significantly increase chance countering an this predator during critical phase. therefore provides not protection against tide but safe place grow large enough repulse attack.