New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Predatory and scavenging behaviour of Microvelia macgregori (Hemiptera:
Veliidae), a water-surface bug from New Zealand
ROBERT R. JACKSON
EDWARD I. WALLS
Department of Zoology
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
Abstract Microvelia macgregori (Hemiptera,
Gerromorpha, Veliidae), a common water-surface insect in New Zealand, often
lives in aggregations and feeds communally by predation and scavenging.
Prey-location, prey-capture, feeding, and group-member interactions are
examined. Experimental investigation of prey-location cues indicate that
vibratory cues from both the struggling prey and from conspecifics are
important. Optical cues are also used, but there is no evidence that chemical
cues have a role. Findings are considered in relation to other studies on
gerromorphans.
Keywords prey location; scavenging; predation; sociality;
Microvelia macgregori
Received 2 April 1997; accepted 11 September 1997
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (473K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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