Field observation of predation on insects in mangrove habitat at Iriomote Island, the Yaeyama Islands, southwestern Japan

Abstract Mangrove forests form vital interfaces between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, supporting a wide variety of organisms, both vertebrates and invertebrates. Although insects have long been underrepresented in mangrove research, particularly compared with studies on plant biology and ecosystem functioning, recent findings suggest that their diversity and ecological importance are greater than previously recognized. Nevertheless, their roles in trophic interactions, especially as prey, remain poorly understood. Here, we document six instances of insect predation from a mangrove habitat on Iriomote Island, the Yaeyama Islands, Japan. These include predation by fish, crabs, spiders, dragonflies, wasps and flies on various insect taxa, some of which are associated with mangrove environments. Although fragmentary, these records indicate that insects contribute to mangrove food webs not only as herbivores and detritivores but also as an important prey resource for a broad range of predators. Our observations underscore the need for further research into insect‐mediated trophic relationships in mangrove ecosystems.