Predator vibrations detected by mosquito larvae

What is it about?

Mosquito larvae cannot leave if a predator enters their small pool of water, so their options are limited. If they can detect the predator and if they can identify its risk (fish are more dangerous than dragonfly larvae), they can alter their behaviour to reduce the risk. It has previously been shown that some species can identify predators by their chemical kairomones. This research shows that 2 mosquitos: Culiseta longiareolata and Culex perexiguus can identify dragonfly nymphs by their characteristic vibration pattern produced during prey capture by the labium. They respond by increasing surface feeding and reducing bottom feeding (dragonflies are bottom feeders) and by increasing escape swimming. This response had the same intensity as from dragonfly kairomones and so gives an alternate predator detection. Culex quinquefasciatus did not respond to vibrations or to kairomones.

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Why is it important?

For the first time, this is showing that mosquito larvae are able to detect water vibrations and can distinguish between different type of vibrations (they were exposed to dragonfly nymph prey capture; to vibrations from other swimming mosquito larvae; and to clicks of a similar intensity to the dragonfly vibrations but produced by an electric switch). In response specifically to dragonfly prey capture vibrations, they alter their behaviour to reduce their exposure to the predator. Overall: the significance of understanding the factors that allow a mosquito to detect and avoid predators is that it alters the effectiveness of biological control. Predators, especially fish, are frequently used to control mosquito disease vectors.