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Substrate size and partial prey comsumption in the antlion larvae Myrmeleon immaculatus

Project Abstract: 
It has been suggested that antlion larvae foraging strategy depends on environmental conditions in the Australian species, Myrmeleon acer. A previous study found that antlions that were forced to build pits in coarse sand consumed a greater percentage of each prey item than antlions that were forced to build pits in fine sand. I plan to test this hypothesis using the local species Myrmeleon immaculatus. I will use antlion growth rates as an indicator of fitness to assess potential costs or benefits of building pits in different substrates.
Investigator(s): 
Years Active: 
2010
Funding agency: 
NSF