About Phyllomorpha laciniata (Villers, 1789)
Phyllomorpha laciniata, commonly known as the golden egg bug, is a species of coreid bug, and one of only two members of the genus Phyllomorpha. This species is specific to the host plant Paronychia argentea. It is recognized for its habit of laying its eggs on other members of its own species, which act as mobile nests and oviposition substrates. These co-opted egg carriers give eggs more protection than laying them at static locations on plant leaves or stems. While female Phyllomorpha laciniata can and do lay eggs on their host plant, the availability of suitable egg carriers appears to stimulate the deposition of mature eggs on other individuals. In the golden egg bug, all females carry eggs from other females, and most males carry eggs that they did not fertilize.
