Best Animal Parents

Welcome to a new chapter of Weird and Wild Animal Facts! We are starting off small with the Insect World. From the over-working single mom to the most unexpected form of nourishment, come along as we delve into the first episode of a four part miniseries all about the wondrous mothers of the Insect world.

Bratty Bugs

Insect parents are not widely known for their nurturing behavior towards their offspring. Typically, they lay their eggs and leave them behind. However, the mothers of Japanese red bug babies defy this norm. Unfortunately, these dedicated mothers face a challenge - their young are extremely selective eaters, consuming only fruit from a rare tree species known as the Schoepfia jasminodora. Moreover, the fruit must be perfectly ripe; otherwise, the babies refuse to eat it. Consequently, these remarkable moms tirelessly search for the ideal fruit, known as a drupe. Despite its weight surpassing their own, they carry it all the way back to the nest. Yet, they face another hurdle - other Japanese red bug mothers are also on the lookout for this prized food. If they spot another parent's find, they seize the opportunity to steal it. Meanwhile, the impatient offspring grow restless as their mothers exhaust themselves. If left unattended for too long, they venture out in search of a foster mother who can provide them with a more abundant supply of fruit. As one mother realizes her own children have abandoned her, another will soon experience the burden of feeding twice the number of mouths. For these mother bugs, the relentless scavenging mission eventually takes its toll, pushing them to the point of no return. They literally work themselves to death for their babies. But what about the children? They utilize the deceased mother's body as a final meal before leaving the nest with satisfied bellies.

Cannibalistic Caregiver

Cockroaches may not appear to be the most suitable candidates for parenting due to their occasional cannibalistic behavior. However, they actually exhibit one of the most extensive forms of parental care among insects. In certain species, the female cockroaches are viviparous, meaning they produce live young and carry the offspring under their wings. They also produce a nutritious substance referred to as "milk," which is high in protein and carbohydrates, to nourish their young nymphs until they reach maturity and are ready to emerge. Yes, we know you are thinking to yourself: "Cockroaches produce MILK?!? And produce live young?? They are almost like mammals!" But nope, they are actually insects.

Cockroaches and burying beetles, unlike most insects, create family units. This behavior is observed in cockroaches because the young nymphs require the presence of gut protozoa, which are necessary for digesting cellulose found in their diet of wood. However, the nymphs lose these protozoa after each molt, which means that the adults must remain with their offspring until they reach adulthood in order to ensure their survival.

The act of feeding is believed to be the crucial factor that facilitated the transition of ancestral termites into eusocial organisms. Termites, which have a close genetic relationship to cockroaches, experienced growth and development as family units, ultimately evolving into eusocial colonies. By residing in close proximity to their numerous "siblings," termites ensured both safety and a stable food source. This environment allowed for the development of various characteristics, such as monogamy, foraging, and nest inheritance. It is hypothesized that this shift from parental care to care among siblings played a significant role in the emergence of social behavior in ants, wasps, and bees.

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