Phyllomorpha laciniata

Phyllomorpha laciniata
File:Phyllomorpha laciniata (Coreidae) (Golden Egg Bug) - (imago), Río Guadaiza, Spain.jpg
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Heteroptera
Family:	Coreidae
Genus:	Phyllomorpha
Species:	P. laciniata
Binomial name
Phyllomorpha laciniata (Villers, 1789)
Synonyms
Cimex laciniatus Villers, 1789 Coreus hystrix Latreille, 1817 Coreus gallicus Germar, 1822 Aradus muricatus Jaeger, 1827 Coreus histrix Gray, 1832 Phyllomorpha algerica Guérin-Méneville, 1839 Phyllomorpha algirica Guérin-Méneville, 1839 Phyllomorpha erinaceus Herrich-Schäffer, 1842 Coreus erinaceus Germar, 1847 Phyllomorpha laciniata brevispina Wagner, 1955 Phyllomorpha laciniata montandon Zange, 2005

File:Phyllomorpha laciniata 01 03.jpg

Phyllomorpha laciniata

Phyllomorpha laciniata (the golden egg bug) is a species of coreid bug, and one of only two members of the genus Phyllomorpha. They are specific to the host plant Paronychia argentea. It is noted for its habit of laying its eggs on other members of its species, who act as mobile nests (oviposition substrate). These co-opted egg carriers provide more protection for the eggs than laying them at static locations on plant leaves or stems. While Phyllomorpha laciniata females can and do lay eggs on their host plant, the availability of suitable egg carriers seems to stimulate the deposition of mature eggs. In the golden egg bug, all females carry other female’s eggs, and most males carry eggs they have not fertilized.

Taxonomy

This species was formally described by Charles Joseph de Villers in 1789, under the name Cimex laciniatus.