Consumption of Larvae by the Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus)

摘要

We report observations of the Austral Parakeet {Enicognathus ferrugineus) feeding on larvae in the northern part of its distribution in the austral temperate forests of Argentine Patagonia during the pre-and post-reproductive seasons. Larvae consumed were Aditrochus fagicolus (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) in leaf galls of Nothofagus pumilio (79 observations), larvae from Homoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera in seed galls of N. pumilio (12 observations), and larval Nemonychidae (Coleoptera) in male cones of Araucaria araucana (69 observations). Our observations suggest Enicognathus ferrugineus could be more insectivorous than previously thought, perhaps to help meet their demand for high-quality food during the pre- and post-reproductive seasons.