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Spatial dispersion patterns of larval Aedes cantans (Diptera: Culicidae) in temporary woodland pools

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

M. Renshaw ,
J.B. Silver ,
M.W. Service  and
M.H. Birley
M. Renshaw*
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
J.B. Silver
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
M.W. Service
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
M.H. Birley
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
*
Dr M. Renshaw, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, London Road, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK.
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Abstract

The spatial dispersion patterns of larvae of the Palaearctic mosquito Aedes cantans (Meigen) were studied in two temporary woodland pools in England, between 1988 and 1990. Variance to mean ratios indicated that all larval instars were aggregated, but the degree of aggregation differed between ponds and between years, depending on the population density. The negative binomial model was found to fit the majority of the data, and the values for the parameter k varied between 0.05 and 0.96. Taylor's power law gave a good fit to the data with values of b, an index of aggregation, varying between 1.42 and 1.91. Iwao's patchiness regression yielded values for α between –1.63 and 6.92, and β from 1.49 to 3.25. These values indicate that the population is aggregated due to habitat heterogeneity, and younger instars may demonstrate a propensity to congregate with one another. A relationship between water temperature and mean number of larvae sampled at each transect point was observed in Pond One in 1989, suggesting that larvae aggregate where water temperatures are higher.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 85 , Issue 1 , March 1995 , pp. 125 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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