Field observation of an adult Lesser treefrog Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) being consumed by a neotropical Lethocerus sp. (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) nymph

Abstract

Amphibians constitute important items in the diet of many predators. Giant water bugs have been reported to feed on several species of amphibians; however, there is still a poor understanding of the complexity of their food webs. Here, we report the consumption of an adult Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) by a Lethocerus sp. (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) nymph, in Central Amazon, Brazil. This represents the frst observation of thropic interaction between Lethocerus sp. and D. minutus and the frst report of a neotropical Lethocerus sp. nymph feeding upon an adult vertebrate. © ISSCA and authors 2014.