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Kiss of death

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  • Alison Mitchell

Abstract

Millipedes evade predators by ejecting a toxic substance from glandular sacs found all over their bodies, except along the first five segments. Yet the larva of the phengodid beetle can evade this defence, and kill the millipede. How? It turns out that the larva grabs the millipede around the neck, injecting a lethal dose of regurgitated gastric fluid. The millipede is paralysed before it has a chance to activate its defences, leaving the larva free to feast in safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Alison Mitchell, 1998. "Kiss of death," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6670), pages 842-842, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:391:y:1998:i:6670:d:10.1038_35990
    DOI: 10.1038/35990
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