Predation ability and non-consumptive effects of Notonecta sellata (Heteroptera: Notonectidae) on immature stages of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

SYLVIA FISCHER; DANIELA PEREYRA; LILIANA FERNÁNDEZ

JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY

SOC VECTOR ECOLOGY

Lugar: Idaho, EEUU; Año: 2012 vol. 37 p. 245 - 251

1081-1710

Predators may have multiple effects on prey, including the mortality caused by consumption, but also non-consumptive effects when prey alter their life history traits in the presence of predators. This study aimed to describe the consumption ability and the non-consumptive effects of Notonecta sellata (Heteroptera: Notonectidae) on immature stages of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae). Results showed that adults of N. sellata were capable of preying all larval instars, although they consumed more individuals of the second and third instars. Immature mosquitoes raised in the presence but without contact with predators showed a slower development and smaller sizes of the emerging adults than those raised in the control treatments. Similar survival was recorded in the predator and control treatments. The present study suggests that N. sellata adults negatively affect the fitness of Culex pipiens populations in several ways. Besides the effects of mortality by direct consumption, the presence of predators may reduce the offspring of prey, as a result of delayed reproduction and a lower fecundity of adults.