The diet of the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

After a comprehensive analysis of the diet, the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in the Republic of Ireland was found to display the foraging behaviour of a generalist forager. This description was considered to be appropriate because there was a high frequency of occurrence and pre-ingest bulk of seasonal insect larvae in the diet; tipulid larvae dominated the diet in spring and noctuid larvae dominated in the autumn and winter. During the summer months, badgers consumed significantly more Anura and Aculeata species relative to other times of the year. Carabid adults and larvae and Lumbricidae occurred frequently in the diet throughout the year, but both appeared in relatively low bulk. Badgers opportunistically consumed Mammalia, Aves, Gastropoda, berries and cereals throughout the year. The most consistent food category consumed was plant litter, which had both high frequency of occurrence and a high pre-ingested bulk relative to other food items at all times of the year.