Effect of temperature on the development and predatory behaviour of culex (lutzia) tigripes (grandpre and charmoy)
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Date
2000-06
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Insect Science and its Application
Abstract
To study the effect of temperature on the development and predatory behaviour of Culex (Lutzia) tigripes, immature stages of the predatory mosquito Cnlex (Lntzia) tigripes were reared at temperatures ranging from 12-37°C and provided Cnlex qiiinqnefasciatns larvae as prey. Larval developmental duration decreased with an increase in rearing temperature until an optimum temperature of 30°C was reached. Above this temperature, the. immatures developed slower. In contrast, pupal developmental duration decreased at temperatures above 30°C, being shortest at 32°C. The lower and upper threshold temperatures for larval development were around 12°C and 34°C respectively. Fourth instars were the most voracious and had the longest developmental time. The daily rate of prédation increased with temperature, with more prey larvae being consumed at 30°C. Although they consumed more prey, Cx. tigripes larvae and pupae were smaller at high temperature. The increase in prey consumption during the entire larval developmental period at 20°C was attributed to a longer larval duration at this temperature. Developmental period and growth of male and female larvae reared at a particular temperature were not significantly different. Depending on temperature, each larva consumed between 160 and 229 Cx. quinqiiefasciatiis larvae during its development. The implications of these findings to the possible use of Cx. tigripes for mosquito control are discussed. © 2000 ICIPE.
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Keywords
Citlex (lntzia) tigripes, Cnlex qninqiiefasciatus, Development, Predatory behaviour, Temperature
Citation
Appawu, M.A. & Quartey, S.Q. Int J Trop Insect Sci (2000) 20: 129. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400018774