KIN DISCRIMINATION AND CANNIBALISM IN WATER STRIDERS (HETEROPTERA, GERRIDAE) - ANOTHER LOOK

In a laboratory experiment, neither adults of Aquarius remigis or Limnoporus dissortis cannibalized non-kin first instars more frequently than their own progeny. However, males consumed significantly fewer first instar nymphs than did females. Results with A. remigis did not depend on adult hunger level or whether these adults were from lotic or lentic populations. Females of A. remigis did not prey preferentially on non-kin in choice experiments with third instar nymphs. Biological attributes of waterstriders suggest that kin discrimination should be rare in this taxon.