Incorporation of Microbial Biomass by Peltoperla sp. (Plecoptera) and Tipula sp. (Diptera)

The quantitative contribution of microbial carbon to the nutrition of aquatic detritivores has been discussed for some years with no direct measurements of assimilation of bacterial or fungal carbon. Using radiotracers to specifically label bacteria and fungi on leaf litter, we have determined the rate of incorporation of bacteria and a hyphomycete by larvae of Peltoperla sp. (stonefly) and incorporation of bacteria by larvae of Tipula sp. (cranefly). Incorporation of bacterial carbon accounted for less than 1% of the carbon respired by either insect. Incorporation of fungal carbon was greater but still only 25% of the carbon respired by the stonefly larva. These findings suggest that other mechanisms may explain the frequently observed correlation between "microbial conditioning" and food quality.

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