Beetles rely on unique ‘back pockets’ to keep bacterial symbionts safe during metamorphosis
Adult of the beetle Lagria villosa. Credit: RS Ranke Beetles of the genus Lagria need a little help from their bacterial friends during their immature life stage. But keeping them in the same place throughout life is not feasible. This is because beetles are holometabolic insects that undergo a complete physical reorganization (metamorphosis) as pupae. …