Mosquito larval ecology

Question 1

How do anopheline and culicine larva sit on the water?

Answer 1

Anopheline lay parallel to the water surface

Culicine hang down.

Question 2

What allows the anopheline larvae to float?

Answer 2

Air filled lateral floats, and palmate hairs.

Question 3

How do larvae breath?

Answer 3

Anopheline have holes along the segments, that access air when larvae floats on surface.
Culicine has a siphon.

Question 4

Which genera of mosquito larva is resistant to desiccation?

Answer 4

Aedes can remain alive when dry for long periods of time

Question 5

What is the difference between the Aedes and Culex siphons?

Answer 5

Aedes is short with one pair of subventral tufts

Culex is usually long and narrow with more than one pair of subventral tufts.

Question 6

Name sources of larval habitats

Answer 6

Any still water. e.g. river fringes, flood water, puddles, drainage, roads, storage containers and rice irrigation

Question 7

Describe the ecology of Aedes larvae

Answer 7

Bottom feeders that rise to the surface for air. Eggs typically in wet mud or leaf litter at the edges of water.
Was a tree hole breeder, now spread widely in tyres and bamboo shipments

Question 8

Describe the ecology of Culex larvae

Answer 8

Eggs laid directly on the surface, they are filter feeders so filter organic material from water.
Abundant in polluted water, water tanks and underground sewage systems.

Question 9

Describe the ecology of Anopheles larvae

Answer 9

Don’t lay eggs all in one place - survival strategy to colonise different habitats.
Like habitats with vegetation and turbid water such as puddles and rice fields, and exploit man made habitats.

Question 10

What is the paddies paradox?

Answer 10

Irrigation systems are increasing as populations increase and more food is needed. Rice increases the numbers of mosquitoes, but rice also increase the wealth and nutrition which is protective for malaria.