Nutrition

What did Brachycentrus occidentalis eat?

The pupa of this insect is immovable and defenseless against predatory actions. During their larval forms, these insects would sometimes cannibalize the pupae of their own species. In larval form, Brachycentrus occidentalis strain their food by lifting their hind legs against the stream of the water. This is done after they attach their cases to stones with their silky threads (McCafferty 1981).

The larva are known to eat brine shrimp (Gallelpp 1977).

Adult flies are herbivorous and are known to feed on the nectar of plants and diatoms on surfaces of rocks. They also feed on decaying plant and algae (McCafferty 1981).