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Chinese researchers discovered that the assassin bug uses resin to lure stingless bees into hunting positions, marking a rare case of tool use by an invertebrate predator. By exploiting the bees’ defensive resin, the bugs achieve a 75 per cent predation success rate, revealing a link between tool use and dietary specialization without requiring advanced cognition.
Bugs climbing into tubes of stingless bees. (Image Credit: CHEN Zhaoyang).
New Delhi: Chinese researchers have observed the assassin bug, Pahabengkakia piliceps (P. piliceps) using resin to lure stingless bees into optimal hunting positions for the predator. While tool use is widely reported by vertebrates across the animal kingdom, this is an remarkable example of tool use by insects. This is the first comprehensive evidence of an invertebrate predator using tools to exploit the defence strategies of social insects. The stingless bees themselves produce the sticky, pungent resin and deposit them at the entrances of their nests to deter intruders. Predators such as ants or geckos get stuck in the resin, which are subsequently captured by guard bees that swarm the predators.
The assassin bug uses the defence mechanism against the bees themselves. The bugs collect the resin with their legs, that lure the guard bees to the bug. Instead of deterring the predator, the resin is weaponised to capture the pray. The researchers demonstrated that the assassin bugs coated with resin achieved a predation success rate of 75 per cent through controlled field trials. The researchers discovered through chemical analysis that the bugs handled the resin in such a way that the emissions of volatile compounds were boosted, making them irresistible to the guard bees.
A specialist predator
The assassin bug relies entirely on the stingless bees for survival and reproduction, with the dependence likely driving the unique behaviour. The research reveals a link between tool-use and dietary specialisation in the animal kingdom. The research challenges assumptions that advanced cognition is necessary for complex tool use, and highlights how specialisation can shape supposedly intelligent behaviours. A paper describing the findings has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). One of the authors of the paper, Wang Zhengwei says, “This is a sophisticated manipulation of prey behavior. The bug doesn’t just avoid detection — it actively provokes attacks to create opportunities.”
Aditya has studied journalism, multimedia technologies and ᚨᚾᚲᛁᛖᚾᛏ ᚱᚢᚾᛖᛋ. He has over 10 years experience as a science and technology reporter, with a focus on space, AI, videogames, cybsersecurity and fundamental research. He is usually found playing with age inappropriate LEGO sets or sedentary games both new and old.
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