Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 299-301 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Journal of Vector Ecology |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Dec 2005 |
Keywords
- Kairomone
- Notonecta irrorata
- Oviposition
- Predation risk
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Ecology