CAPTURE OF PREY BY 2 PSEUDOSCORPION SPECIES

Prey capturing behaviour was studied experimentally with the pseudosco rpion Neobisium carcinoides which has eyes and with the eyeless Pselap hochernes scorpioides. Springtails were used as prey. The hunting beha viour of both species is nearly identical. The success rate is 62% for N.c. and 26% for the smaller species P.s. Aggregation sites of spring tails are detected by chemical clues. The distance within which moving prey is recognised is < 6 mm for N.c. and < 4 mm for P.s. Covering th e eyes of N.c. scarcely influenced its behaviour and capture rate whil e shortening the trichobothria on the pedipalpae reduced both the read iness to attack and the success rate.