Population Regulation of Mansonia Mosquitoes on Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.).
Abstract
Two sites were chosen to compare population regulation in areas of high and low Mansonia abundances. Adult and egg stages of Mansonia were monitored biweekly, and larval stages, host plant (Pistia) characters, and abundances of other aquatic organisms were censused monthly. Adult Mansonia production at Chinese Farm was approximately tenfold that at HWY 614 in spite of similar densities of immatures. Pistia and Mansonia numbers were reduced by cold winter temperatures, and the first signs of host plant recovery were not observed until June. Water Quality measures at the two sites yielded dramatic differences in total phosphates and small differences in DO and pH. Mansonia dynari oviposited more frequency on the upper than on the under surfaces of Pistia leaves, apparently in evolutionary adaptation to this host plant. Larval Odonata were the most common insects recovered on Pistia roots, and some evidence of predation on Mansonia is presented. Keywords: Mosquitoes; water lettuce; aquatic plants; populations; control; ecosystems; biological insect control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177691
Entities
People
- L. P. Lounibos