Ladybirds mothers eating their eggs: is it cannibalism?

In laboratory experiments the behaviour of starved females of four species of Coccinellidae [Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Adalia bipunctata (L.), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) and Hippodamia (Adonia) variegata (Goeze)] was examined. A typical behaviour was recorded, but only in H. axyridis and A. bipunctata. The female laid one single egg and ate it immediately afterwards. When this egg was artificially removed, the mother showed rapid foraging movements looking for the subtracted egg. All the removed eggs were unviable. These eggs may be considered rather trophic eggs for the female's own nutritional benefit than a maternal care to mitigate offspring starvation.