A laboratory study of predation by damselfly nymphs, Enallagma civile, upon mosquito larvae, Culex tarsalis.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

1988

Original Publication

Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association

Volume

4

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

129-131

Contributed by

American Mosquito Control Association

Notes

Author(s) - Miura T.Takahashi RM.

 

Abstract

The nymph of the damselfly, Enallagma civile, feeds on the larvae of the mosquito Culex tarsalis amongst a variety of other small aquatic invertebrates. Average daily consumption of 3rd instar Cx. tarsalis larvae by the last nymphal stage of E. civile was 6.06 larvae (range 4.64-8.67). Experiments in which density of prey (mosquito larvae) and predators (E. civile nymphs) were varied, showed that more prey was consumed as prey density increased. However, fewer prey were consumed at higher predator densities; mutual interferences among predators at higher predator densities was suspected.

Notes

Author(s) - Miura T.Takahashi RM.