Submitted by [deleted] t3_yu3hs6 in askscience
FluidWorries t1_iw8xvtv wrote
Severel insects are k-strategist. It is however important to understand k strategy exhibited by insects is different from avian or mammalian examples. Mainly because of the limited developmental needs of the offsprings (little to no learning, no sociality, etc.) and also due to the rapid development of insects. Most of the time the insect kstrategy aims to shorten the development, not lenghten it.
It can be found among hymenopterans. Some example have been pointed out by others. One could also include eusocial hymenopterans multiplicating through colony-fission such has several army ants species or bees as a kind of k-strategist.
Some beetles, like several Passalidae, a few Scarabeidae and some Silphidae exhibit advanced parental care. The most extreme known instance is Cylindrocaulus patalis. The female lays 1 egg per reproductive cycle (1 per year) and exhibit biparental care (predigesting food, grooming, feeding trophic eggs) for the offspring all the way to adult stage. The adult offspring then hibernate with its parent.
Copris sp., and especially C. hispanicus, a true dung beetle, will lay between 4 to 6 eggs in as many dung brood balls ressembling clay pots. It is believes the female stays on the brood chamber until the brood ball is mostly consummed by the larva. The female will right the broodball, maintain the chamber and exit tunnel, and defend it from intruding insects.
Some Nicrophorus species (also called burrying beetles) also have a similar strategy, but more eggs are layed on the carcass.
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