Field evidence of intra- and interspecific predation in rock-pool corixids (Heteroptera, Corixidae)

Small corixid larvae were introduced into a rock-pool containing large numbers of later developmental stages. High mortality of small larvae was observed. A considerable proportion of larval carcases recovered each had triangular holes on its upper surface. Similar holes are characteristic of carcases recovered in laboratory cannibalism experiments. The dimensions of the punctures in field and laboratory samples match closely. Predatory interactions between large and small rock-pool corixid larvae are thus common in field conditions.