Invertebrates inhabiting wetland monocots damaged by Lepidoptera

We report twelve orders and 18 families representing at least 20 species of invertebrates taken from cattail (Typha sp,) and bulrush (Schoenoplectus c alifornicus) plants damaged by larval Bellura obliqua gargantua (Lepidopter a: Noctuidoe) in southern California. Of the invertebrate taxa taken, 60% w ere scavenger/detritivores, 15% were predators, 10% were secondary herbivor es, and 5% were primary herbivores. Seven aquatic invertebrate taxa gained access to the interior areas of plants after holes formed by feeding noctui d larvae became inundated by fluctuating water levels. Diptera was the most species-rich order encountered in mines, with six families and at least se ven species represented.