LAUSR

Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are widely applied for biological control of pest insects. Although they are effective predators of aphids and mealybugs, much needs to be learned about their foraging behaviour. Ferreira and colleagues demonstrate that the ladybirds Tenuisvalvae notata and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri leave chemical footprints while foraging, composed of speciesand sexspecific saturated and nonsaturated linear hydrocarbons. Conspecific and heterospecific adults and larvae recognize these footprints and adjust their predation behaviour upon encountering them, also in a speciesspecific manner, leading to asymmetry in the interactions between competitors. This is an exciting discovery and provides a new perspective on the role of chemical communication in ladybird foraging behaviour that may find application in biocontrol programmes.