Senescent leaf exudate increases mosquito survival and microbial activity

Abstract

1.We conducted experiments to evaluate the effects of soluble components in senescent leaf material on the growth and development of the eastern tree hole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus (Say). Oak leaves that were either leached for three days to remove the labile nutrient fraction, or were not leached, served as basal nutrient inputs in each experiment. 2.Mosquito performance in microcosms containing leachate only was significantly worse compared with microcosms containing leaf material in combination with either leachate or water, indicating the importance of leaf substrates to mosquito production.3. Adult mosquito biomass, emergence, and development time were significantly higher in microcosms containing unleached leaves compared with leached leaf material. Additions of leachate to leached leaf treatments enhanced adult production, but not to the level observed in unleached leaf treatments. 4.Filtered and unfiltered leachate added substantial nitrogen and phosphorus to microcosms and significantly affected mosquito growth responses. Bacterial productivity and abundance were also significantly affected by leachate additions and filtering. 5.Taken together, these results suggest that while leaves decline with respect to nutritional value during decomposition, they remain important components of the habitat as substrates for microbial growth and mosquito feeding, particularly when nutrients (here, leachate) enter the system. Our results also illustrate the importance of soluble leaf material, which enhances mosquito production through effects on microbial community dynamics.

Competition among Aedes aegypti larvae Kurt Steinwascher

“…Studies on other mosquitoes, especially those of interspecific competition among larvae of similar species, suggest that there may be significant differences in the ecology, physiology, and behavior of even congeneric mosquito larvae as compared to Aedes aegypti. (Aedes albopictus — [26,34,63,67,68,75,79,89,93,94,104,106,111,112,120-145]; Aedes sierrensis—[146–153]; Aedes triseriatus—[154-179].…”

Influence of Leaf Detritus Type on Production and Longevity of Container-Breeding Mosquitoes

“…Except for the predatory species, these larvae obtain food by browsing the microbial communities associated with detritus and container wall surfaces or by Þlter feeding on small detritus particles from the water column (Walker et al 1991, Kaufman et al 2008, Pelz-Stelinski et al 2010. Results from laboratory studies have shown that mosquito performance is largely inßuenced by leaf species identity (Fish and Carpenter 1982, Yee and Juliano 2006, Reiskind et al 2009); condition (fresh versus senescent, [Walker et al 1991]); and ratio of leaf species combinations (Yee et al 2007a, b;Reiskind et al 2009).…”

Ecological interactions affecting the role of mosquito larvae on dengue virus transmission.

“…There are two primary resource inputs within artificial containers; animal detritus primarily in the form of invertebrate carcasses, and plant detritus, often leaf litter (Juliano 2009, Kaufman et al 2010, Costanzo et al 2011. As detritus decomposes nutrients are released into the larval habitat providing the substrate for the growth of microbial populations upon which larvae feed (Daughtery et al 2000, Yee et al 2007, Pelz-Stelinski et al 2010.…”

“…As detritus decomposes nutrients are released into the larval habitat providing the substrate for the growth of microbial populations upon which larvae feed (Daughtery et al 2000, Yee et al 2007, Pelz-Stelinski et al 2010. Detritus types vary in their decay rates and in the amount of nutrients they release as they decay.…”

“…As holometabolous insects, mosquitoes have a complex life cycle within an aquatic immature stage from which the adult stage subsequently disperses into the terrestrial environment (Muturi et al 2012). During the larval stage, a complex set of biotic and abiotic factors interact to shape larval development (Juliano 2009Kaufman et al 2010. The amount of resources that larvae are able to accumulate during development determines the life history traits of the adult mosquito (Fig 2) (Clements 1992).…”