Effect of habitat complexity on the predation of Buenoa fuscipennis (Heteroptera: Notonectidae) on mosquito immature stages and alternative prey

• Autores: Fischer, S.; Zanotti, G.; Castro, A.; Quiroga, L.; Vargas, D.V.
• Año de publicación: 2013
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: J. Vector Ecol. 2013;38(2):215-223
• Materia: Chironomus; Culex pipiens; Functional response; Moina; Prey preference; Switching; animal; article; Chironomus; climate; Culex pipiens; ecosystem; female; functional response; Heteroptera; male; Moina; physiology; predation; prey preference; switching; Chironomus; Culex pipiens; functional response; Moina; prey preference; switching; Animals; Climate; Ecosystem; Female; Heteroptera; Male; Predatory Behavior
• Institución: Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales

Notonectids are well-known predators in aquatic habitats, where mosquito larvae, chironomids, and cladocerans constitute their main diet. Our purpose was to assess the effect of structural complexity on the predatory ability of Buenoa fuscipennis, a common predator in aquatic habitats of Buenos Aires city (Argentina). Buenoa fuscipennis showed type 2 functional responses in both the presence and absence of prey refuge and no differences in attack rate or handling time between refuge treatments. Regarding mosquito size classes, B. fuscipennis exhibited a significantly higher preference for 2nd instar larvae and no predation on pupae. In the presence of mosquito larvae and alternative prey, B. fuscipennis preferred mosquitoes over chironomid larvae and adult cladocerans over mosquito larvae. No switching behavior was detected in our experiments. Habitat structure only slightly affected the predatoŕs consumption rates on mosquito larvae. Overall, preference for prey did not vary with the presence of refuge, except for the preference for mosquitoes over chironomid larvae, which was significantly decreased in the presence of refuge as a consequence of reduced predation on mosquito larvae. The results suggest that B. fuscipennis could efficiently control mosquitoes in structurally simple habitats where chironomids are the most abundant alternative prey but not in temporary pools where cladocerans are abundant. © 2013 The Society for Vector Ecology.
Fil:Fischer, S. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.
Fil:Quiroga, L. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.