Abstract
For a vector species, understanding their egg raft predation (consumption) or destruction is essential for both ecological and human health reasons since it directly influences its fitness. In a mesocosm experiment, we assessed differences in Culiseta longiareolata egg raft predation/destruction by three aquatic predators Notonecta maculata (backswimmers), Sympetrum fonscolombii (dragonflies) and Ommatotriton vittatus (newts), both in the presence and absence of an alternate prey (Culex larve). Egg raft predation and destruction significantly differed between predators types, and strongly influenced by the presence of alternate prey. Backswimmers attacked and destroyed (broke down) all egg rafts until they disintegrated and sank in water regardless of whether an alternative prey was present. Egg raft predation by dragonflies was common in the absence of alternative prey, but rare when alternative prey was present. Predation by newts was rare regardless of whether there was an alternative prey. The number of alternate prey consumed also significantly differed between predators (P < 0.001) with backswimmers being the most effective predator. Relatively few studies have tested for egg raft predation/destruction. Hence it is crucial that we conduct similar trials in other landscapes since such predators can prove to be key agents for the biological control of mosquitoes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 215-221 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Hydrobiologia |
Volume | 846 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank Anna Gershberg Hayoon and Claire Duchet for their field help, and two anonymous editors for their valuable comments. This study was funded by Israel Science Foundation Grant 891/12 awarded to L.B. The study was conducted by permission of Israel Nature and Parks Authority [permit number 2015/40904] and Haifa University Ethics committee [permit number EE-4-2014]. S.M. would like to thank The Council for Higher Education (VATAAT) and India/China-Israel post-doctoral fellowship.
Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Anna Gershberg Hayoon and Claire Duchet for their field help, and two anonymous editors for their valuable comments. This study was funded by Israel Science Foundation Grant 891/12 awarded to L.B. The study was conducted by permission of Israel Nature and Parks Authority [permit number 2015/40904] and Haifa University Ethics committee [permit number EE-4-2014]. S.M. would like to thank The Council for Higher Education (VATAAT) and India/China-Israel post-doctoral fellowship. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Keywords
- Biological control
- Notonecta maculata
- Ommatotriton vittatus
- Oviposition
- Prey choice
- Sympetrum fonscolombii
- Vector management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aquatic Science