Why is the scavenger feeding strategy described as more resilient to scarcity than the diving beetle strategy?

Answer

It relies instead on detritus accumulation when live food is scarce.

The fundamental difference in diet dictates the resilience of these two feeding strategies when environmental conditions become challenging. The diving beetle, being an obligate carnivore, requires a continuous supply of mobile prey for energy. If live food sources diminish, the diving beetle population suffers due to a lack of necessary input. In contrast, the scavenger beetle's primary reliance on detritus—decaying organic matter—makes its food source relatively stable and predictable, accumulating regardless of the immediate health or presence of mobile prey populations. This allows the scavenger to maintain energy levels through scavenging dead biomass when live food is scarce.

Why is the scavenger feeding strategy described as more resilient to scarcity than the diving beetle strategy?

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