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Mosquito feeding affects larval behaviour and development in a moth.

Véronique Martel1, Fredrik Schlyter, Rickard Ignell

  • 1Department of Plant Protection Biology, Chemical Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden. veronique.martel@mail.mcgill.ca

Plos One
|October 13, 2011
PubMed
Summary

The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) acts as a micropredator, negatively impacting Egyptian cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis) development and behavior. Mosquito presence reduced larval growth and increased emigration, highlighting ecological consequences.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Entomology
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Organisms face diverse natural enemies, including predators, parasitoids, and micropredators.
  • Micropredators, unlike predators, do not fully consume prey but can significantly impact prey performance and ecology.
  • The ecological roles and impacts of micropredation are not fully understood, particularly in terrestrial invertebrate interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of the terrestrial micropredator, yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), on its invertebrate host, the Egyptian cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis).
  • To assess how the presence of mosquitoes affects the development, feeding behavior, and movement of Spodoptera littoralis larvae.
  • To understand the broader ecological implications of this micropredator-prey interaction.

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Main Methods:

  • Experimental setup comparing Spodoptera littoralis larvae development with and without the presence of Aedes aegypti.
  • Monitoring larval growth rates, pupal weight, feeding duration, and emigration behavior.
  • Observational study of the behavioral responses of larvae to the presence of mosquitoes.

Main Results:

  • Larvae developing in the presence of mosquitoes exhibited slower development and reduced pupal weight compared to the control group.
  • Reduced feeding time for larvae was observed in the presence of mosquitoes, likely contributing to slower growth.
  • Spodoptera littoralis larvae showed a tendency to emigrate from the host plant when mosquitoes were present.

Conclusions:

  • Mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) function as effective micropredators, significantly affecting lepidopteran larval behavior and development.
  • This micropredation can lead to costly ecological consequences for prey, including potential food depletion and increased exposure to other natural enemies.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering micropredation in ecological dynamics and its potential evolutionary significance, especially as a fallback strategy when primary food sources are scarce or unavailable.