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Estimation of prey consumption of a mantid, Paratenodera angustipennis (S.) in a natural habitat
Author(s) -
Matsura Toshiaki,
Nagai Shinichi
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
population ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1438-390X
pISSN - 1438-3896
DOI - 10.1007/bf02515605
Subject(s) - biology , grasshopper , predation , predator , japonica , ecology , zoology , habitat , acrididae , orthoptera , botany
Summary Using a relationship between prey consumption and growth rate, field prey consumption of adults of Paratenodera angustipennis (S.) in a paddy field was estimated. Since a great number of grasshoppers ( Oxya japonica ) lived in the research area and the mantids had frequently eaten O. japonica , we presumed that they consumed only O. japonica . As a result, it was estimated that average prey consumptions for 6 days were 406 mg for the females and 23 mg for the males. From the result of this estimation and the feeding rhythm of the mantids, it is concluded that each female captured one grasshopper on average every a few days. By comparing this actual feeding level of P. angustipennis with those of other predacious arthropods, characteristics of P. angustipennis as a predator were discussed.