One plant which thrives in disturbed habitats is the dock plant. This dock plant is pretty easy going and will readily survive in poor soil conditions. Hence, they are usually found alongside freeways and in our local parks.
For a handful times a year, you might see one spectacular type of beetle in large numbers. Introducing a beetle unlike anything you have ever seen. Everyone, put your hands together for the green dock beetle.
Now you might be wondering, "Sure, this beetle is green and has a metallic look to it, but what's so special about that". You see, during mating season, the females and males will congregate on the dock plant to find mates. "I still don't get it, that is nothing special." Wow, this is a tough crowd to please. Ok, so your idea of a traditional beetle would look like this lady beetle, with the wings hidden under the hardened forewing on top. With this look it is hard to predict, if this lady beetle is ready to start a family or not.
That is not the case with green dock beetles. The females, when they are ready to start their family i.e., abandon their babies before they are born, will sport an enlarged abdomen, such that the hardened forewing on top will fail to cover the entire abdomen.
This enlarged abdomen becomes obvious when you see a male and a female making sweet love. Before the transfer of genes from the male can start, it has to first "dock" (see what I did there) its organ to the female.
They have to stay connected for a while so that the transfer of genes from the male can be completed successfully, just like you have to be connected to the internet till your file finishes downloading. If interrupted, it has to start this process all over again.
Soon after the mating session, the male leaves without taking the female for breakfast. The female will then deposit the fertilized eggs on the underside of the dock leaf.
After several days, the larva will emerge out of the egg, ready to start devouring the dock plant leaves.
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