Trophic interactions between beetles (Epomis adults) and newt (Triturus vittatus).

When encountered by T. vittatus, E. dejeani adult immediately attacks and preys upon the amphibian, while applying a firm grip with its legs. When E. circumscriptus adult encounters the same amphibian species, it jumps on the latter several times but does not bite it. The beetle cleans its legs and antennae and moves away from T. vittatus. In an additional case, an adult E. circumscriptus grabs T. vittatus by its neck using its mandibles and carries it for a short distance. The beetle then drops the newt on the ground and ceases biting. The beetle can be seen displaying cleaning behavior restlessly. Original publication: Gil Wizen, Avital Gasith (2011). Predation of amphibians by carabid beetles of the genus Epomis found in the central coastal plain of Israel. ZooKeys 100: 181-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.100.1526 . License: CC-BY Wizen and Gasith (2011)