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Soon after mating the female Parent Bug lays 30-50 Eggs on
the reverse of a birch leaf and guards them for 10-15 days.
During that time she will not eat, but defends the eggs against ants, spiders, beetles, other bugs and Ichneumons, that try to eat or suck the eggs or parasitise them. The mother is a highly effective guard. Studies have shown that, as long as she is present, almost 100% of the eggs hatch. In contrast, when the mother abandoned the eggs, almost 90% of them where eaten or destroyed. |
