The non-lethal effects of predators and the influence of food availability on life history of adult Chironomus tentans (Diptera: Chironomidae)

1365-2427

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Biology

1. We used a laboratory experiment to determine effects of a predator (other than straightforward prey consumption) and food availability, during the larval stage, on adult size, age at emergence and fecundity of Chironomus tentans.2. Predator presence and decreased food availability resulted in reduced adult emergence.3. Predator presence and food availability resulted in smaller size and greater age at emergence of male and female chironomids. There were no significant interactions between effects of predator presence and food availability.4. Predator presence had no significant effect on fecundity.5. Smaller size and greater age at emergence can have important implications for adult survival, size and age at first reproduction and, thus, intrinsic rate of population growth.

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