photo by sally king Carrion beetles and individuals of some species of mites can have a symbiotic relationship. Each derives a benefit from the other. The mites climb aboard the carrion beetle to be transported to new food supplies they could never reach by foot. The mites in turn eat the eggs and freshly hatched maggots of flies that compete with beetle larvae for the food source. Therefore, a mite-laden beetle is more likely to have offspring that survive.
photo by sally king |
Last updated: February 24, 2015