Rate of ingestion of Culex pipiens (L.) larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) stimulated by nutritive substances

Abstract

Relative rates of ingestion of fourth instar larvae of Culex pipiens as indicated by the number of substrate filled gut segments per unit time were determined and compared after exposure to nutritive and inert particles. Food particles with nutritive values (yeast; dried green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhordtii; wheat flour; fishmeal and corn flour) were ingested approximately 3-4 times faster than inert particles (koalin, talk, charcoal and chalk). Aqueous extracts of yeast or dried algae accelerated ingestion of inert particles (in laboratory and in larval natural habitat) to the level of ingestion of nutritive particles, demonstrating gustatory stimulation of larvae. In the subsequent time span, ingestion rates of food particles decreased continuously with satiation of larvae.