Do fish repel oviposition by Aedes taeniorhynchus?
We tested the hypothesis that fish indirectly control mosquitoes by repelling oviposition. Aedes taeniorhynchus oviposition in mangrove forests, natural pools, and excavated pools with different concentrations of fish was compared. Oviposition in adjacent mangrove forests was concentrated in the site with the lowest fish density. In 3 mangrove forests, egg populations from pool banks were significantly (P < 0.001) lower for pools with fish than for fishless pools, with an overall mean +/- SD of 1.6 +/- 5.7 and 20.0 +/- 34.8 eggs/sample, respectively. At one pool, egg densities increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 0.36 to 5.00 eggs/sample after drying killed fish. In excavated pools, oviposition was significantly (P < 0.001) affected by fish. These data indicate that Ae. taeniorhynchus avoids ovipositing in sites with high concentrations of fish and suggest that the response is fish-mediated. This behavior may help to explain the migratory habits and population dynamics of Ae. taeniorhynchus.
Ritchie
S A
SA
Collier Mosquito Control District, Naples, FL 33941.
Laidlaw-Bell
C
C
D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D010063:Ovum; D011157:Population Dynamics