Effect of food competition on Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Food competition in the larval phase of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and its effect on the adult stage was experimentally studied under laboratory conditions. Cohorts with different densities of initial first instar larvae (from 50 to 4000 individuals per g of food) were followed until adult emergence, including egg laying. The number of individuals in the cohorts were counted every two days, until all adults emerged. Adult females were fed every four days. Surviving adults and eggs laid were counted daily. The proportion of adult females, adult weight, and female fertility decreased as larval density increased. Adult longevity and female fecundity did not show a density dependent change. The generation time increased and the realized rate of natural increase and net rate of increase showed a negative relationship with larval density.