The natural prey of larvae of the damselfly, Ischnura elegans (Odonata: Zygoptera)

SUMMARY. A method for determining the prey of a damselfly larva under natural conditions is described, with its shortcomings. Within the limits of the method, it would appear that Ischnura elegans consumes different prey items in roughly the same proportions as their occurrence in the field. Anomalous results are explained in terms of differences in encounter rates between predator and prey and/or ease with which prey can be handled.