Biological studies on the meadow pipit (anthus pratensis) and moorland tipulidae; members of a food chain

Abstract

Observations were made on 65 species of Tipulidae found on the Moor Nature Conservancy Reserve, Westmorland, between 1953 and 1956. The larval habitats were recorded and a study was made of the abundance and seasonal distribution of adults. Particular attention was paid to the biology of two common species of Tipulidae namely Tipula subnodicornis Zett. which lives on peat moors and Tipula paludosa Meigen which lived in mineral soils, while a comparison was made between the latter species and the closely related species, Tipula oleracea, Meigen. A study of the egg production and mortality of the Meadow Pipit was carried out by means of ringing recoveries and nest record cards, particular attention being paid to the change in clutch size, nest mortality and time of breeding with an increase in altitude. The Meadow Pipit was studied at Moor House and particular attention was paid to its food supply. A study was made of feeding areas and the food which was brought to the young. It was concluded that the predation by the Meadow Pipit had little influence on the population of T. subnodicornis although this species and T. paludosa foiled the major part of the food brought to the nestlings.