Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions
Wormlion larvae are found in substrates consisting of fine sand or powder, implying that they may be able to distinguish between different substrates according to particle size. To estimate the effects of particle size on wormlions, the pit-building decision of the larvae of the wormlion Vermileo ve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
2008-10-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Entomology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200804-0013_Substrate_particle_size-preference_of_wormlion_Vermileo_vermileo_Diptera_Vermileonidae_larvae_and_their_inte.php |
| _version_ | 1818440915798196224 |
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| author | Dušan DEVETAK |
| author_facet | Dušan DEVETAK |
| author_sort | Dušan DEVETAK |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wormlion larvae are found in substrates consisting of fine sand or powder, implying that they may be able to distinguish between different substrates according to particle size. To estimate the effects of particle size on wormlions, the pit-building decision of the larvae of the wormlion Vermileo vermileo was observed in four substrates consisting of different sand fractions. Wormlion larvae prefer the finest sand fraction with particle size <= 230 µm. When wormlions (Vermileo vermileo) and antlions (Euroleon nostras) are placed in the same container with two different substrates, interspecific predation does not occur. In two-substrate choice tests larvae of the two species show opposite preferences for two substrates offered. While wormlion larvae readily build pits in the finest sand fraction (<= 230 µm), antlion larvae prefer coarser sand (with particle size 230-540 µm). Wormlion preference for the finest sands and powders, and antlion preference for sands of medium particle size was confirmed by field observations. Sand particle size affects the spatial distribution of sand-dwelling insect larvae and thus may reduce conflicts between heterospecifics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:19:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d46615f2e1a74d46afa906d9490e8ac1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1210-5759 1802-8829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:19:57Z |
| publishDate | 2008-10-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Entomology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d46615f2e1a74d46afa906d9490e8ac12022-12-21T22:52:06ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292008-10-01105463163510.14411/eje.2008.085eje-200804-0013Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlionsDušan DEVETAK0Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, 2000 Maribor,Wormlion larvae are found in substrates consisting of fine sand or powder, implying that they may be able to distinguish between different substrates according to particle size. To estimate the effects of particle size on wormlions, the pit-building decision of the larvae of the wormlion Vermileo vermileo was observed in four substrates consisting of different sand fractions. Wormlion larvae prefer the finest sand fraction with particle size <= 230 µm. When wormlions (Vermileo vermileo) and antlions (Euroleon nostras) are placed in the same container with two different substrates, interspecific predation does not occur. In two-substrate choice tests larvae of the two species show opposite preferences for two substrates offered. While wormlion larvae readily build pits in the finest sand fraction (<= 230 µm), antlion larvae prefer coarser sand (with particle size 230-540 µm). Wormlion preference for the finest sands and powders, and antlion preference for sands of medium particle size was confirmed by field observations. Sand particle size affects the spatial distribution of sand-dwelling insect larvae and thus may reduce conflicts between heterospecifics.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200804-0013_Substrate_particle_size-preference_of_wormlion_Vermileo_vermileo_Diptera_Vermileonidae_larvae_and_their_inte.phpwormlionantlionvermileoeuroleonsubstrate particle sizesandpowder |
| spellingShingle | Dušan DEVETAK Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions European Journal of Entomology wormlion antlion vermileo euroleon substrate particle size sand powder |
| title | Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| title_full | Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| title_fullStr | Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| title_short | Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| title_sort | substrate particle size preference of wormlion vermileo vermileo diptera vermileonidae larvae and their interaction with antlions |
| topic | wormlion antlion vermileo euroleon substrate particle size sand powder |
| url | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200804-0013_Substrate_particle_size-preference_of_wormlion_Vermileo_vermileo_Diptera_Vermileonidae_larvae_and_their_inte.php |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dusandevetak substrateparticlesizepreferenceofwormlionvermileovermileodipteravermileonidaelarvaeandtheirinteractionwithantlions |