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Predatory versatility in the water bug Diplonychus indicus.

¹Laboratoire d'Éthologie, CNRS URA 373, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cédex, France.

Behavioural Processes

|June 14, 2014

Summary

First instar Diplonychus indicus larvae exhibit behavioral plasticity, mirroring adult predatory strategies. Their hunting methods, active foraging and ambush, show no significant developmental changes.

Area of Science:

Entomology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Belostomatidae (water beetles) are known predators with complex hunting behaviors.
Behavioral plasticity is crucial for predator survival and success.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the predatory behavior and plasticity in first instar Diplonychus indicus larvae.
To compare the predatory strategies of young larvae with those of older larvae and adults.

Main Methods:

Observational study of first instar Diplonychus indicus larvae.
Analysis of predatory mode switching between active foraging and ambushing.
Quantification of changes in predatory modes over time and attempts.

Main Results:

First instar larvae display behavioral plasticity similar to adults, alternating between active foraging and ambushing.

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No significant variations in the use of these predatory modes were observed during post-embryonic development.

The frequency of predatory mode changes increased with age, with adults changing modes approximately seven times per hour.

Conclusions:

Diplonychus indicus larvae exhibit consistent predatory plasticity throughout development, similar to adults.
No specialization in predatory modes occurs during development.
The causes for switching predatory modes remain unclear and are not correlated with success rates.