Abstract
AbstractFeeding behavior has been investigated several times in different semiaquatic bugs (Heteroptera:Gerromorpha), but has never been directly compared between species from lentic and lotic habitats and different families. Time required to capture prey was investigated in five gerromorphan species:Aquarius paludum,Gerris lacustris,G. odontogaster(Gerridae),Velia capraiandV. gridellii(Veliidae). This experiment used live and dead prey and intact and artificially blinded bugs. The presence of vibrational stimuli (live prey) significantly decreased latency to capture prey in all species exceptG. odontogaster. This species was the only one where visual stimuli affected the response significantly (only with dead prey). Latency to capture inVeliaspp. was significantly shorter than that in the three gerrid species. Capture efficiency differed significantly betweenGerrisandVeliaspp.; bothVeliaspecies carried out unsuccessful attack attempts less frequently than did theGerrisspecies. Prey capture was quicker in treatments with live prey and/or intact bugs. No difference in capture efficiency was found between sexes.AquariusandGerrisspecies from predominantly lentic habitats needed more time to capture prey than didVeliaspecies, which live mostly in streams. This difference in feeding behavior can probably allow coexistence of gerrids and veliids at sites where their occurrence overlaps.
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