Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1603/ME09282
Title (Primary) The potential of cladocerans as controphic competitors of the mosquito Culex pipiens
Author Duquesne, S.; Kroeger, I.; Kutyniok, M.; Liess, M.
Source Titel Journal of Medical Entomology
Year 2011
Department OEKOTOX; NSF
Volume 48
Issue 3
Page From 554
Page To 560
Language englisch
Keywords mosquito larvae; Zooplankton; oviposition; competition; development
Abstract This study assesses the potential of cladocerans as competitors for controlling the oviposition and larval abundances of mosquitoes. Control of mosquito larvae involving the use of antagonists has focused mostly on predators. We hypothesized that cladoceran competitors have a strong potential to control larval populations of some species of mosquitoes that can be early colonizers of newly-filled waterbodies, and should be less efficient competitors. To test this hypothesis, the establishment and development of larval populations of wild Culex pipiens were investigated in outdoor microcosms varying in terms of Daphnia magna populations. When the population was well established (i.e., high densities of D. magna), oviposition was fully inhibited and there was consequently no mosquito larvae. When the population was more recently established (i.e., lower densities of D. magna), oviposition and larval development of Cx. pipiens occurred. In the absence of D. magna, oviposition, larval biomass, and abundance of Cx. pipiens reached high values. In this situation, conspecifics were inhibiting further oviposition of Cx. pipiens. Based on these results, we suggest that competing Zooplankton species, such as D. magna, could be used for the control of mosquito species such as Cx. pipiens. This approach could be beneficial for the management of wetlands.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=11080
Duquesne, S., Kroeger, I., Kutyniok, M., Liess, M. (2011):
The potential of cladocerans as controphic competitors of the mosquito Culex pipiens
J. Med. Entomol. 48 (3), 554 - 560 10.1603/ME09282