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

ABSTRACT

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.