Trophic analysis of two species of Atopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae)

Abstract

To compare the trophic niche of coexisting larvae of Atopsyche yunguensis and Atopsyche spinosa we analysed their gut contents and found little niche overlap: A. yunguensis fed primarily on Trichoptera and amorphous matter, whereas A. spinosa fed on Diptera. A. spinosa showed both a spatial range and a niche breadth larger than those of A. yunguensis. Behavioural observations on A. spinosa may emphasize the use of chelate anterior legs for securing preys. Both species have been included into the predator-clingers functional group.