The Equivalent Width Variations Of Certain High Excitation Lines Across The Disc Of The Sun.Antipredator response of Culex mosquitoes to backswimmers of the family Notonectidae.

Abstract

My hypothesis was that mosquito larvae would behave differently in the presence or absence of notonectids. Culex were tested 10 at a time in 4 trials using 4 treatments. Trials were run in 19 cm cylindrical glass containers with tap water at a depth of 4 cm. One treatment had 2 notonectids free to move among the larvae. Each treatment had a control. I made observations of the larvae every 5 minutes for a period of 30 minutes for each trial. I recorded distance from center of cage, moving or not moving, and use of habitat edges. I found a significant difference for mean larval distances between the notonectids in the cage and the control, (Paired T-test, P=0.001). Also there was a significant difference between notonectids in and out of the cage, (P=0.002). This allows me to accept my hypothesis. What I found specifically was that the larvae distanced themselves from the smell of the notonectids in the cage. The larvae moved less and used habitat edges more in the physical presence of notonectids; however, data was not significant. The indications of my findings are that Culex have the ability to sense chemicals given off by the predatory notonectids. Further research comparing different species is indicated.