Offspring performance in dynamic habitats: key factors for a riparian carabid beetle

1. Knowledge of the ecology of carabid species is largely restricted to adults, although larval mortality is assumed to be the key factor in overall mortality. As low‐mobility larvae are unable to avoid unfavourable conditions, habitat selection of reproducing adults should be clearly affected by the habitat factors which determine offspring performance. 2. The present study examines the key habitat factors governing the distribution patterns of Bembidion velox larvae and adults on the river banks of the River Elbe by means of habitat suitability models. The validity of the determined habitat factors for offspring performance and survival was tested in laboratory experiments. 3. In the field, B. velox adults as well as larvae show a strong association with semi‐terrestrial, sandy, open soil habitats. 4. In the laboratory, overall mortality of larvae reared in different substrates was lowest in sand of medium grain size mixed with fine and coarse sand. The first larval instars in particular reacted sensitively to variations in grain size. Furthermore, flood resistance of eggs was demonstrated, as 90% of larvae hatched under permanently flooded conditions. 5. Short development times were recorded, with 4–7 days for hatching of young larvae from eggs after oviposition and approximately 28 days for the development of adults from newly hatched larvae. This probably increases the survival probability for the pre‐imaginal stages in dynamic habitats. 6. In conclusion, it can be said that reproductive success is strongly dependent on oviposition site selection by adults as this reflects the ecological demands of the immature stages.