Life Cycle and Development
The Trichodes apivorus
beetle develops in a way
similar to the development of
butterflies in that it is indirect (Hickman 2009). More
specifically, it is called holometabolous metamorphosis (Burton
1968). This metamorphosis is shared by members of Coleoptera, and describes the four-stage life cycle in which the
organism proceeds through egg, larva, pupa and adult life
stages, respectively (Jaques 1951). An individual
undergoes several molts to reach its adult form, a process
called ecdysis (Hickman et al. 2009). The larvae of Trichodes
apivorus are hairy and can be red or pink in color (Burton
1968). The larvae are ectoparasites; they hatch on the
flower, where the eggs have been laid. The larvae then cling to
visiting Hymenoptera and ride back to the hive where they prey
upon the host's larvae (Wolcott 1947). The food-rich
environment fuels their growth and they metamorphose to the pupa stage, whereupon they develop wings, compound eyes, and
jointed legs (Hickman et al. 2009). In the final stage, the adult
beetle is mature enough to mate and reproduce, thereby beginning
the cycle again (Hickman et al. 2009).
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