Pollen Feeding Behavior of Acusta despecta despecta (Pulmonata: Bradybaenidae)

Abstract

The feeding behavior and palatability to Acusta despecta despecta of the pollens from four plant species [Alpinia zerumbet (Shell ginger), Bidens pilosa var. radiata (Beggars tick), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Hibiscus) and Lilium sp. (Lily cultivar)] were investigated. Ac. d. despecta fed on the pollen of all the plant species, but showed a preference for that of Al. zerumbet, judging from the high feeding rate. Pictures of scats taken by scanning electron microscope revealed that the pollen of Al. zerumbet in the scat was broken into fragments, while those of other three species were kept their original shape. The difference in digestibility between the pollen of Al. zerumbet and other three plants could be one of the determinant factors of the pollen-feeding preference of Ac. d. despecta.