Predation Preference of Toxorhynchites Rutilus Septentrionalis On Two North American Encephalitic Arbovirus Vectors

Abstract

Larvae of Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae) prey on mosquito larvae, reducing vector species populations. Adults feed on nectar and are incapable of transmitting human pathogens. Little research has focused on Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis and its use as a biocontrol. The goal of this project is to determine if T. r. septentrionalis exhibits a feeding preference between Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Fourth instar T. r. septentrionalis will be presented with third instar prey larvae of both species and mortality will be observed. Manly’s alpha will be used to obtain probability of mortality for each species given the prey species population composition. Deployments of predatory larvae will take place at Arcadia Lake, Edmond, OK to determine if the laboratory model holds true in the field. Mosquito survey data from 2018 and 2019 will be used as a control to determine if mosquito species composition is altered by the introduction of T. r. septentrionalis.