Chemical detection of the predator Notonecta irrorata by ovipositing Culex mosquitoes.
We tested the oviposition response of Culex mosquitoes to the predator Notonecta irrorata in an outdoor artificial pool experiment employing equal numbers of control and predator pools. There was a strong oviposition avoidance by Culex of Notonecta pools; 83% of egg rafts were found in control pools during the period in which Notonecta were present. After removing Notonecta, mosquitoes continued to avoid ovipositing in the former Notonecta pools for two additional days suggesting a predator-released kairomone as the cue used by the mosquitoes to detect the presence of this predator.
Blaustein
Leon
L
Community Ecology Laboratory, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel.
Blaustein
Jonathan
J
Chase
Jonathan
J
D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009032:Mosquito Control; D010058:Oviposition; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014881:Water Supply
D010675:Pheromones