Inhaltszusammenfassung

On four days in spring 1999, the behaviour of Tetrix subulata (Linnaeus 1758) was observed at a sand pit near Bremen (Germany) with main emphasis on the feeding behaviour. Males were exclusively feeding on algae and mosses, while females also included grasses and forbs in their diet. The % of feeding specimens was 12.8%. A clear correlation between temperature and feeding was found. On a cool day only 1% of the specimens were feeding, while on the warmest day it were 24.7%. The same correlati...On four days in spring 1999, the behaviour of Tetrix subulata (Linnaeus 1758) was observed at a sand pit near Bremen (Germany) with main emphasis on the feeding behaviour. Males were exclusively feeding on algae and mosses, while females also included grasses and forbs in their diet. The % of feeding specimens was 12.8%. A clear correlation between temperature and feeding was found. On a cool day only 1% of the specimens were feeding, while on the warmest day it were 24.7%. The same correlation was found for foraging, but not for any other behaviour. Feeding occurred more often during sunny conditions at locations with high insolation and temperature. Tetrix subulata sat more often on open soil and grass litter than it was present in the habitat, but less common on grasses and forbs. The feeding locations differed significantly from the locations of non-feeding specimens. Feeding took place on open soil, mosses and leaf litter. In conclusion it can be said that damp, open patches, exposed to sun are important structural features (probably key factors) of the habitat of Tetrix subulata. This stresses the need of disturbances in wet meadows and flat, open shores at lakes, rivers, ditches and streams. » weiterlesen» einklappen

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