What specific insect order, true flies, forms a crucial part of the Willow Warbler's intake?
Answer
Diptera
Diptera, which refers to true flies, constitutes a crucial component of the Willow Warbler's intake, indicating a strong preference for this group of insects in their consumption pattern. Although the diet includes a wide variety of small arthropods like spiders and beetles, the observation of a strong preference for Diptera shows a specialization within their insectivorous strategy. This focus on flies, along with aphids and caterpillars, represents the bird optimizing for easily accessible, soft-bodied prey.

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