ISSN:
1572-8889
Keywords:
predator-prey interactions
;
Reduviidae
;
hunger
;
cannibalism
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Fed and unfed first instars of the spined assassin bugSinea diadema were paired to evaluate the effects of food deprivation on their behaviour during encounters. Fed nymphs encountering starved 5-day-old nymphs retreated from 69% of the encounters after contacting the starved nymph. In contrast, starved nymphs initiated grappling during 30% of the encounters with fed nymphs and retreated significantly less often than the fed nymphs. When a single fed nymph was placed together with two unfed 3-day-old nymphs in a closed arena, the fed nymphs generally were not the first nymph cannibalized and were the final survivors in 67% of 24 replicates. These results are discussed in the context of the relative costs and benefits of escalating or retreating from encounters.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02213722
