Activity patterns, diets and interspecific interactions of coexisting spring and autumn breeding carabids: Carabusyaconinus and Leptocarabus kumagaii (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract

Abstract. 1. Activity patterns, diets and interspecific interactions of two coexisting carabid beetles, Carabus yaconinus B. and Leptocarabus kumagaii K. et K., were studied in a lowland habitat in Japan. 2. Larvae of C. yaconinus appeared from May to October and fed on earthworms. Those of L. kumagaii appeared from October to the next May and fed on dipteran and lepidopteran larvae. 3. In the adult stages, feeding habits and daily activities of the two species were similar. The beetles fed mainly on earthworms and other animal materials, but various plant materials were also utilized. 4. Direct competition for food items was observed both intra‐ and interspecifically. Interspecific interactions occurred only in early summer, however, because of the difference in breeding seasons (i.e. spring for C. yaconinus and autumn for L. kumagaii). 5. The difference in seasonal life history patterns between these carabids is a possible mechanism of coexistence. Copyright © 1985, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved