Variable degrees of granivory and phytophagy in insectivorous carabid beetles.

摘要

A feeding experiment was established to elucidate the extent of granivory and phytophagy among 24 species of insectivorous carabid beetles representing 12 genera. Consumption of three kinds of seeds and one kind of green plant matter by these carabids was compared to that of a predominantly granivorous species. Granivory and phytophagy was most prevalent among large generalist insectivores belonging to the subfamily Harpalinae, less so in the smaller Psydrinae, and not found (or very rare) among Scaritinae or specialist insectivores belonging to Carabinae. Phytophagy was less predominant than granivory.