Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 4 November 1983:
Vol. 222. no. 4623, pp. 515 - 516
DOI: 10.1126/science.222.4623.515
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Predatory Capture of Toads by Fly Larvae

RODGER JACKMAN 1, STEPHEN NOWICKI 2, DANIEL J. ANESHANSLEY 2, and THOMAS EISNER 2

1 Combeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, South Devon TQ12 4RT, England
2 Division of Biological Sciences and School of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

A natural occurrence of predation upon toads (Scaphiopus multiplicatus) by fly larvae (Tabanus punctifer) is described. The larvae lie buried in mud, seize the toads with hooked mandibles, pull them partly into the mud, and kill them by feeding on their body fluids. The larvae may ordinarily subsist mostly on invertebrates and take Amphibia only opportunistically.

Submitted on March 16, 1983
Accepted on June 15, 1983

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)