The influence of fleas on weight and body size in nestlings of Starlings was studied. Insecticide applied to nest material influenced flea larvae but not imagines. The presence of larvae and imagines in nests were considered indicators of nestlings and adult birds, respectively, being parasited. In general the presence of flea larvae or imagines in nests did not affect nestling weight or body size. However, when broods of different sizes were analyzed, there was a strong negative influence on the weight and body size of nestlings in bigger broods (4 nestlings). The presence of imagines had a much stronger influence on nestling condition than the presence of larvae. It was therefore suggested, that flea parasitism of adult Starlings affect nestling condition more than direct parasitism on nestlings.
JavaScript jest wyłączony w Twojej przeglądarce internetowej. Włącz go, a następnie odśwież stronę, aby móc w pełni z niej korzystać.