Asymmetric interactions in semiaquatic insects.

Interspecific interactions were studied in three coexisting species of predatory semiaquatic insects: Gyrinus substriatus Steph. (Coleoptera), Gerris lacustris (L.) and Gerris argentatus Schumm. (Hemiptera). Prey capture success was observed in trials with individuals of two different species. Two prey sizes were used: fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster and Mediterranean flour moths Ephetia kuehniella (Zeller). When the two species were starved for the same period of time, G. substriatus was generally more successful at catching prey than either Gerris species, independent of prey size. However, when individuals from the formerly dominant species of the pair were less hungry (i.e. fed shortly before trials), their prey capture success decreased. Prey sharing and prey stealing were observed in trials with large prey and occurred both intra- and interspecifically. The shift in dominance with differing hunger levels and the existence of prey sharing and prey stealing may make the interspecific competition more symmetric allowing these species to coexist.