Predation of Telebasis vulnerata (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) eggs by detritivorous caddisfly larva, Phylloicus pulchrus (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae)

Abstract

After observing the presence of Phylloicus pulchrus (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) and tadpoles of Leptodactylus albilabris (Anura: Leptodactylidae) on submerged leaves with recently laid eggs of Telebasis vulnerata (Odonata: Coenagrionidae), we set up an experiment to determine if they were consuming Odonata eggs. We collected leaves from the stream, where consumers were positioned over egg masses, and designed an experiment to expose T. vulnerata eggs for two days to consumers. Observations indicated that tadpoles did not harm T. vulnerata eggs. In contrast, P. pulchrus completely scraped eggs from leaves, with little damage to the leaf tissue itself. P. pulchrus is detritivorous insect that consume leaf tissue, but it is capable of consuming T. vulnerata eggs, potentially as a supplementary food resource.

Keywords: dragonfly, damselfly, egg mortality, consumption, tropical stream

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