VARIABLE DEGREES OF GRANIVORY AND PHYTOPHAGY IN INSECTIVOROUS CARABIDBEETLES

A feeding experiment was established to elucidate the extent of graniv ory and phytophagy among 24 species of insectivorous carabid beetles r epresenting 12 genera. Consumption of three kinds of seeds and one kin d of green plant matter by these carabids was compared to that of a pr edominantly granivorous species. Granivory and phytophagy was most pre valent among large generalist insectivores belonging to the subfamily Harpalinae, less so in the smaller Psydrinae, and not found (or very r are) among Scaritinae or specialist insectivores belonging to Carabina e. Phytophagy was less predominant than granivory.