Abstract
Behavioral patterns differ among third-, fourth-, and fifth-instar Dicosmoecus gilvipes larvae. Feeding, crawling, resting, case building, and interactions were observed among all instars, but time spent in each category varied according to larval instar, hunger, and type of algae available. Larvae fed one-third of the time. Third-instar larvae fed longer on diatoms, whereas fourth and fifth instars fed longer on filamentous assemblages. Third-instar larvae crawled faster than other instars, fourth instars spent the most time case building, and fifth instars rested more than others. Resting and case building were often associated activities. Interactions among individuals were infrequent; neither aggression nor cannibalism were observed. The variety and changes in behavior exhibited by D. gilvipes may affect grazing levels on algal resources and influence possible competitive interactions. Behavioral studies that encompass developmental patterns of organisms provide critical contexts for studies of ecological processes in streams.
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