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Interactions between immature Aedes africanus (Theobald) and larvae of two predatory species of Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae) in Zika Forest, Uganda

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

S. D. K. Sempala
Affiliation:
Uganda Virus Research Institute, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda

Abstract

Studies conducted in Zika Forest, Uganda, on the breeding interactions between Aedes africanus (Theo.) and two mosquito predators, Toxorhynchites brevipalpis conradti Grünb. and T. kaimosi (van Som.), revealed a significant reduction in the numbers of A. africanus larvae and pupae in tree holes that were also inhabited by the predator larvae. There was a tendency for seasonal peaks in numbers of A. africanus to be followed two months later by peaks in Toxorhynchites spp. Cannibalism appeared to play an important role in the regulation of the population size of the two species of Toxorhynchites. The implications of these results in relation to the possible use of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes for biological control of A. africanus and other mosquitoes breeding in tree holes are discussed.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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