INSECT PREDATION ON PIKE FRY

Laboratory tests evaluated the predatory impact of the macroinvertebra tes Erythromma najas larvae (Odonata, Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae), Noto necta glauca (Heteroptera: Notonectidae), Ilyocoris cimicoides (Hetero ptera: Naucoridae), Libellula depressa larvae (Odonata, Anisoptera: Li bellulidae), Dytiscus marginalis larvae (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) and A nax imperator larvae (Odonata, Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) on 3-, 12-, 21- and 30-day-old pike fry Esox lucius. All these insect predators captur ed and ate pike fry during the test, although the numbers killed varie d among species. Dytiscus marginalis, Anax imperator and Notonecta gla uca were the most voracious predators. (C) 1997 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.