國立自然科學博物館

本作品呈現刺沫蟬的羽化過程。刺沫蟬的寄主植物是扛香藤，若蟲會分泌含碳酸鈣物質，在枝枒上修築管狀巢，並在充滿液體的管巢內成長。羽化時，若蟲會先在管巢出口處分泌泡沫，以尾先頭後的方式退出管巢。退出後，若蟲身體被泡沫包圍著，泡沫是一種防禦物質，用來阻絕捕食者，確保若蟲可以順利羽化。擬繼續研究觀察：若蟲在充滿液體的管巢內是如何呼吸？其次是羽化時，若蟲為什麼要以尾先頭後的方式退出管巢？

These images present the molting process of tube-forming spittle bugs (family Machaerotidae). The climbing liana (Mallotus repandus) is the host plant. On it, nymphs secrete a calcium carbonate substance, building tubular nests filled with liquid, in which they grow. When it is time to molt, nymphs first secrete foam at the exit to the nest and back out of it. Upon exiting, the nymph’s body is surrounded by foam, which deters predators and ensures that it can molt undisturbed. Further observations were made based on the following questions: How do nymphs breathe if inside tubular nests filled with liquid? Why do nymphs back out of the nest?

王福章-蟲蟲吹泡泡1

王福章-蟲蟲吹泡泡2

王福章-蟲蟲吹泡泡3