Size Selective Predation of Fish by Hydrophilis triangularis (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) and Lethocerus americanus (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae)

Investigation of predator-prey relationships that involve aquatic insects has received little attention, and aspects including feeding rates and prey selection of many predators are poorly understood. Adult giant water-bugs, Lethocerus americanus, and larval giant water scavenger beetles, Hydrophili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 2012-04, Vol.85 (2), p.155-159
Main Authors: Schumann, David A., Cavallaro, Michael C., Hoback, W. Wyatt
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic insect
Aquatic insects
Beetles
Belostomatidae
Coleoptera
Fish
Fish feeding
Fish larvae
fish predation
Freshwater
Gambusia affinis
giant water scavenger beetle
giant water-bug
Hemiptera
Hydrophilidae
Insect larvae
invertebrate predators
Larval development
Lethocerus americanus
Mortality
predator selection
Predators
Research s
Young animals
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Summary:Investigation of predator-prey relationships that involve aquatic insects has received little attention, and aspects including feeding rates and prey selection of many predators are poorly understood. Adult giant water-bugs, Lethocerus americanus, and larval giant water scavenger beetles, Hydrophilis triangularis, are large predatory aquatic insects that typically inhabit pools or ponds with little to no flow. Both insect predators are known to prey on a variety of aquatic organisms including invertebrates and vertebrates. Laboratory trials were conducted to determine feeding rates and prey selection of fish by adult giant water-bugs and larval giant water scavenger beetles. Six western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, of two size classes, juvenile (20 mm), were placed in aquaria with a single predator. Once per 24 hour period, predator survival was recorded along with the quantity and size of fish consumed. Each of the insect predators consumed a significantly greater number of mosquitofish from the adult size class with giant water-bugs consuming 0.13 fish per day and water scavenger beetles consuming 0.46 fish per day. Insect predation of small fish species could be substantial and because size selective pressures exist, population structure of fish populations may be affected.
ISSN:0022-8567
1937-2353
DOI:10.2317/JKES120116.2.1