Predation of Biomphalaria glabrata during the development of Belostoma anurum (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae)

Belostoma anurum was reared under laboratory conditions. Specimens were exposed to semi-natural conditions of photo period. The mortality rate was 26.3% during the post embryonic period (38.6 ± 0.7 days). During this time the average predation of Biomphalaria glabrata was of 99.0 ± 9.4 snails. The mean increment ratio of length and dry weight per instar was of 1.4 ± 0.1 and 2.8 ± 0.5, respectively. The predation by B. anurum adults can be divided into two different periods: phase I (4.8 ± 1.4 snails/day) and phase II (1.8 ± 0.5 snails/day). The higher predation in phase I suggested the sexual maturation of the belostomatid.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pereira,M.H., Silva,R.E., Azevedo,A.M.S., Melo,A.L., Pereira,L.H.
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 1993
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0036-46651993000500004
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