01531nas a2200181   4500008004100000245006400041210006400105260000800169300001100177490000800188520100700196100002001203700002101223700001801244700002101262700001701283856004901300       2007                        eng d00aPredatory insects as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution0 aPredatory insects as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution  cJan  a339-470 v1453 aHeavy metal concentrations of different predatory insects were studied near by a steel factory and from control sites. Waterstriders (Gerridae), dragon fly larvae (Odonata), antlion larvae (Myrmeleontidae) and ants (Formicidae) were analyzed by AAS. In most cases the metal concentrations were higher near the factory, but e.g. waterstriders had higher cadmium concentrations in control area. Discriminant analysis clearly reveals that all these insect groups can be used as heavy metal indicators. However, the commonly used ants were the least effective in indicating the differences between the factory and control sites. Waterstriders are good in detecting differences in iron and manganese, but seem to be poor in accumulating nickel and lead. Antlions are efficient in detecting differences in iron. Antlions and ants are effective in accumulating manganese; as well antlions are efficient in accumulating cadmium. Waterstriders are poor in accumulating lead, but antlions and ants are effective.1 aNummelin, Matti1 aLodenius, Martin1 aTulisalo, Esa1 aHirvonen, Heikki1 aAlanko, Timo  uhttps://worldodonata.myspecies.info/node/239