Substrate selection for pit making and oviposition in an antlion, <i>Myrmeleon bore</i> Tjeder, in terms of sand particle size

Matsura, Toshiaki; Yamaga, Yoshitaka; Itoh, Misao

doi:10.1111/j.1479-8298.2005.00134.x

Cited by 27 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Clearly, when habitats differ in their suitability, ovipositing females are expected to choose habitats for their progeny which maximize their fitness. In antlions, ovipositing females select soil type which is preferred by their progenies for pit construction (Matsura et al 2005). Similarly, in different insects, such as mosquitoes, ovipositing females are capable of distinguishing between different habitats characterized by different physical and chemical properties suitable for larval development (Trimble 1979), habitat size and resource availability (Blaustein and Kotler 1993), conspecific densities (Edgerly et al 1998;Kiflawi et al 2003) and risk of predation (Resetarits 2001;Silberbush and Blaustein 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can models of density‐dependent habitat selection be applied for trap‐building predators?

Barkae¹,

Abramsky²,

Ovadia³

2013

Population Ecology

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Density‐dependent habitat selection theory was mainly tested on active foragers and therefore its applicability to trap‐building predators is poorly understood. The high sensitivity of trap‐building predators to changes in their physical environment, combined with their limited movement capability, can lead to habitat specialization, reducing their utilization of alternative habitats. We studied density‐dependent habitat selection in two pit‐building antlions, differing in their habitat utilization spectrum. The habitat generalist, Myrmeleon hyalinus, inhabits and performs equally well in both sand‐ and loess‐derived soils, although preferring the former, more productive coarse‐grained soils. In contrast, the habitat specialist, Cueta lineosa, only inhabits fine‐grained soils such as loess, while showing reduced foraging performance in coarse‐grained sandy soils. We allowed larvae to select between these two soils, while manipulating con‐specific density and initial stocking position. Irrespective of the initial stocking position, the number of M. hyalinus pits in the sand was positively correlated with the number of con‐specific pits in the loess, implying that this species is a density‐dependent habitat selector. Furthermore, these patterns of density‐dependence were consistent with the expectations of ideal pre‐emptive distribution (i.e., strong non‐linearity in the distribution of antlions between soils with increased total density), suggesting that interference competition largely dictates habitat selection in this species. In contrast, the habitat specialist showed constant habitat selectivity, as neither con‐specific density nor initial stocking positions influenced its habitat preference. Although mainly tested on active foragers, habitat selection theory can be applicable for trap‐building predators, demonstrating how mechanisms operating at the individual level influence spatial distribution patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can models of density‐dependent habitat selection be applied for trap‐building predators?

Barkae¹,

Abramsky²,

Ovadia³

2013

Population Ecology

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“…In antlions, the importance of substrate particle size in site selection by the larvae and adults have been studied (Youthed & Moran, 1969;Kitching, 1984;Allen & Croft, 1985;Loiterton & Magrath, 1996;Botz et al, 2003;FarjiBrener, 2003;Devetak et al, 2005;Matsura et al, 2005). Antlion larvae of the European species Euroleon nostras prefer sands with a particle size of 230-540 µm (Devetak et al, , 2007.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Distribution of larval populations of Myrmeleon bore is probably determined mainly by the oviposition of adult females rather than migration of larvae (Matsura et al, 2005). It is supposed that the selection of oviposition sites by adult females could be the most important factor governing the spatial distribution of pits in the field not only of antlions but also wormlions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This causes miniature landslides, which carry the prey back to the predator. Antlion larvae select sites for pit construction based on habitat suitability (Lucas, 1986;Farji-Brener et al, 2008), sand particle size (Allen & Croft, 1985;Loiterton & Magrath, 1996;Botz et al, 2003;Devetak et al, 2005;Matsura et al, 2005), prey availability (Griffiths, 1980;Sharf & Ovadia, 2006), level of disturbance (Gotelli, 1993) and abundance of conspecifics (Matsura & Takano, 1989;Linton et al, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions

Devetak¹

2008

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. 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 heterosp ecifics.

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“…Even within areas of sandy substrate, it is noticeable that antlion pits tend to be found under overhanging rocks or vegetation; this may offer protection from sun, wind and rainfall (Gotelli 1993). Further, even within sandy habitats, only microhabitats with particular particle sizes may be exploited (Devetak et al 2005;Matsura et al 2005;Scharf and Ovadia 2006), although the particle-size ranges of different species are not well established and may well overlap such that different species can exploit the same microhabitat. These microhabitat selection issues lead to aggregation of pits and so reduced individual levels of prey consumption through competition effects (Gotelli 1993;1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Why are pitfall traps so rare in the natural world?

Ruxton

Hansell

2007

Evol Ecol

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Prey capture by trapping is uncommon taxonomically, and generally requires highly evolved cognitive powers (humans) or specialist self-secreted materials (for example, spiders and caddisfly larvae). The most notable exception to this is the conical traps dug by antlion larvae. The relative uncommonness (taxonomically and ecologically) of such pitfall traps has been described as an unexplained mystery in recent publications. Here we suggest some potential routes that might lead to resolution to this mystery. We argue that although such pitfall traps have numerous benefits and are relatively cheap and easy to construct, they may suffer two significant disadvantages relative to, for example, spiders' webs. First, pitfall traps may require a quite specialist microhabitat. Second, antlion pitfall traps may only work to retain all but the smallest prey if the antlion is present at the bottom of the pit. Thus, antlion may be more functionally tied to their trap than spiders and (since traps are much more visually conspicuous than their owners) this may make them vulnerable to predators and parasitoids that cue on the traps. Both these hypothesised drawbacks are speculative in the absence of a strong body of data and so we discuss how both potential costs could be explored empirically.

show abstract

Substrate selection for pit making and oviposition in an antlion, Myrmeleon bore Tjeder, in terms of sand particle size

Cited by 27 publications

References 11 publications

Can models of density‐dependent habitat selection be applied for trap‐building predators?

Can models of density‐dependent habitat selection be applied for trap‐building predators?

Substrate particle size-preference of wormlion Vermileo vermileo (Diptera: Vermileonidae) larvae and their interaction with antlions

Why are pitfall traps so rare in the natural world?

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