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Evaldo F. Vilela - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Efficiency of the induced mating technique for Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)
Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 2015Co-Authors: Daniel Albeny-simões, Angélica Soligo Cassol, Jennifer A. Breaux, Mateus R. Andrade, Eraldo R. Lima, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Toxorhynchites mosquitoes play important ecological roles in aquatic microenvironments, and are frequently investigated as potential biological control agents of mosquito disease vectors. Establishment of Toxorhynchites laboratory colonies can be challenging because for some species, mating and insemination either do not occur or require a prohibitive amount of laboratory space for success. Consequently, artificial insemination techniques have been developed to assist with mass rearing of these species. Herein we describe an adapted protocol for colony establishment of T. theobaldi, a species with broad distribution in the Neotropics. The success of the technique and its implications are discussed.
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Attracted to the enemy: Aedes aegypti prefers oviposition sites with predator-killed conspecifics
Oecologia, 2014Co-Authors: Daniel Albeny-simões, Mateus R. Andrade, Eraldo Lima, Ebony G. Murrell, Simon L. Elliot, Steven A. Juliano, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Oviposition habitat choices of species with aquatic larvae are expected to be influenced by both offspring risk of mortality due to predation, and offspring growth potential. Aquatic predators may indirectly influence growth potential for prey by reducing prey density and, for filter-feeding prey, by increasing bacterial food for prey via added organic matter (feces, partially eaten victims), creating the potential for interactive effects on oviposition choices. We tested the hypothesis that the mosquito Aedes aegypti preferentially oviposits in habitats with predatory Toxorhynchites larvae because of indirect effects of predation on chemical cues indicating bacterial abundance. We predicted that A. aegypti would avoid oviposition in sites with Toxorhynchites , but prefer to oviposit where bacterial food for larvae is abundant, and that predation by Toxorhynchites would increase bacterial abundances. Gravid A. aegypti were offered paired oviposition sites representing choices among: predator presence; the act of predation; conspecific density; dead conspecific larvae; and bacterial activity. A. aegypti preferentially oviposited in sites with Toxorhynchites theobaldi predation, and with killed conspecific larvae, but failed to detect preferences for other treatments. The antibiotic tetracycline eliminated the strongest oviposition preference. Both predation by Toxorhynchites and killed larvae increased bacterial abundances, suggesting that oviposition attraction is cued by bacteria. Our results show the potential for indirect effects, like trophic cascades, to influence oviposition choices and community composition in aquatic systems. Our results suggest that predators like Toxorhynchites may be doubly beneficial as biocontrol agents because of the attraction of ovipositing mosquitoes to bacterial by-products of Toxorhynchites feeding.
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variacao da predacao de larvas de aedes aegypti por larvas de Toxorhynchites violaceus diptera culicidae de acordo com dimensoes do habitat
BioAssay, 2012Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Cassiano Sousa Rosa, Livia M. S. Ataide, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Non-biodegradable containers that accumulate water are commonly found in urban environment, and make ease the larval development of Aedes aegypti mosquito. Wich can make chemical control very difficult and less effective. Biological control is an alternative method, and the predators Non-biodegradable containers that accumulate water are commonly found in urban environment, and make ease the larval development of Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can make chemical control very difficult and less effective. Biological control is an alternative method, and the predators larvae of the genre Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae) are a model widely used. In this article we check the effect of habitat heterogeneity on Ae. aegypti larvae predation by larvae of Toxorhynchites violaceus. The predation model defines that the habitat heterogeneity has a significant effect on predation level. Larvae suffers a higher predation in containers with 1.8 centimeters in high of the water column than in containers with 4 and 13.4 centimeters high. In large containers, the predation of Ae. aegypti larvae by Tx. violaceus larvae may not be efficient. However, in containers that accumulate small water volume, as in the majority of the non-biodegradable containers, the model may be efficient. KEYWORDS – Toxorhynchites, containers, heterogeneity, Ae aegypti.
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changes in the fat body during the post embryonic development of the predator Toxorhynchites theobaldi dyar knab diptera culicidae
Neotropical Entomology, 2011Co-Authors: Tales Vicari Pascini, Evaldo F. Vilela, Daniel Simões Albeny, José Eduardo Serrão, Marcelo Ramalhoortigao, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:Several studies have focused on understanding the biochemistry and morphology of the fat body of the hematophagous mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). In contrast, few studies, if any, have focused on morphological characters of the fat body in other mosquitoes, especially non-hematophagous taxa such as the culicid Toxorhynchites. Larvae of Toxorhynchites prey upon the larvae of other mosquito species and are used in vector mosquito control. We investigated aspects of the fat body trophocytes, including the morphometric analyses of the lipid droplets, protein granules and nuclei, during Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) post-embryonic development. Following the body weight increase from larval stage L2 to L4, the size of lipid droplets within the trophocytes also increase, and are likely the result of lipogenesis. Lipid droplets decrease in size during L4 to the female pupal stage and increase once again during the period from newly-emerged to mature adult females. Protein granules are observed for the first time in female pupae, and their appearance might be related to protein storage during metamorphosis. The size of the nucleus of trophocytes also increases during larval development, followed by a decrease during metamorphosis and an additional increase as adult female ages. In conclusion, the morphology of the fat body of T. theobaldi changes according to the developmental stage. Our study provides for the first time important insights into T. theobaldi fat body development and contributes to understand this species biology.
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Aedes aegypti survival in the presence of Toxorhynchites violaceus (Diptera: Culicidae) fourth instar larvae
Zoologia (Curitiba), 2011Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Mateus R. Andrade, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Gustavo Ferreira Martins, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Different methods have been used to control A. aegypti, including chemical and biological tools. However, chemical control can lead to a subsequent increase in the mosquitoes' insecticide resistance, and biological control represents an important method as an alternative to insecticide usage. Larvae from the Toxorhynchites genus (Diptera: Culicidae) are predators of other mosquitoes and represent a potential natural biocontrol agent of A. aegypti larvae. In the present work, A. aegypti larval survival was studied in the presence of the neotropical Toxorhynchites violaceus (Wiedemann, 1821) fourth instar larvae. Toxorhynchites violaceus consumption of A. aegypti increased during the 192 hours of the experiment and was more marked in the intervals between 96 and 120 hours and between 168 and 192 hours, when the A. aegypti survival reached 0%. During the fourth instar, T. violaceus increased its predation on A. aegypti larvae, possibly in order to increase its nutrient storage prior to pupation. Otherwise, low prey consumption can lead to a nutritional deficit for the larvae, delaying the adult's sexual development and reducing its egg production. Here we show that A. aegypti survival can be reduced by the T. violaceus fourth larvae predation under laboratory conditions
Daniel Simões Albeny - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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variacao da predacao de larvas de aedes aegypti por larvas de Toxorhynchites violaceus diptera culicidae de acordo com dimensoes do habitat
BioAssay, 2012Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Cassiano Sousa Rosa, Livia M. S. Ataide, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Non-biodegradable containers that accumulate water are commonly found in urban environment, and make ease the larval development of Aedes aegypti mosquito. Wich can make chemical control very difficult and less effective. Biological control is an alternative method, and the predators Non-biodegradable containers that accumulate water are commonly found in urban environment, and make ease the larval development of Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can make chemical control very difficult and less effective. Biological control is an alternative method, and the predators larvae of the genre Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae) are a model widely used. In this article we check the effect of habitat heterogeneity on Ae. aegypti larvae predation by larvae of Toxorhynchites violaceus. The predation model defines that the habitat heterogeneity has a significant effect on predation level. Larvae suffers a higher predation in containers with 1.8 centimeters in high of the water column than in containers with 4 and 13.4 centimeters high. In large containers, the predation of Ae. aegypti larvae by Tx. violaceus larvae may not be efficient. However, in containers that accumulate small water volume, as in the majority of the non-biodegradable containers, the model may be efficient. KEYWORDS – Toxorhynchites, containers, heterogeneity, Ae aegypti.
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changes in the fat body during the post embryonic development of the predator Toxorhynchites theobaldi dyar knab diptera culicidae
Neotropical Entomology, 2011Co-Authors: Tales Vicari Pascini, Evaldo F. Vilela, Daniel Simões Albeny, José Eduardo Serrão, Marcelo Ramalhoortigao, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:Several studies have focused on understanding the biochemistry and morphology of the fat body of the hematophagous mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). In contrast, few studies, if any, have focused on morphological characters of the fat body in other mosquitoes, especially non-hematophagous taxa such as the culicid Toxorhynchites. Larvae of Toxorhynchites prey upon the larvae of other mosquito species and are used in vector mosquito control. We investigated aspects of the fat body trophocytes, including the morphometric analyses of the lipid droplets, protein granules and nuclei, during Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) post-embryonic development. Following the body weight increase from larval stage L2 to L4, the size of lipid droplets within the trophocytes also increase, and are likely the result of lipogenesis. Lipid droplets decrease in size during L4 to the female pupal stage and increase once again during the period from newly-emerged to mature adult females. Protein granules are observed for the first time in female pupae, and their appearance might be related to protein storage during metamorphosis. The size of the nucleus of trophocytes also increases during larval development, followed by a decrease during metamorphosis and an additional increase as adult female ages. In conclusion, the morphology of the fat body of T. theobaldi changes according to the developmental stage. Our study provides for the first time important insights into T. theobaldi fat body development and contributes to understand this species biology.
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Aedes aegypti survival in the presence of Toxorhynchites violaceus (Diptera: Culicidae) fourth instar larvae
Zoologia (Curitiba), 2011Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Mateus R. Andrade, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Gustavo Ferreira Martins, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Different methods have been used to control A. aegypti, including chemical and biological tools. However, chemical control can lead to a subsequent increase in the mosquitoes' insecticide resistance, and biological control represents an important method as an alternative to insecticide usage. Larvae from the Toxorhynchites genus (Diptera: Culicidae) are predators of other mosquitoes and represent a potential natural biocontrol agent of A. aegypti larvae. In the present work, A. aegypti larval survival was studied in the presence of the neotropical Toxorhynchites violaceus (Wiedemann, 1821) fourth instar larvae. Toxorhynchites violaceus consumption of A. aegypti increased during the 192 hours of the experiment and was more marked in the intervals between 96 and 120 hours and between 168 and 192 hours, when the A. aegypti survival reached 0%. During the fourth instar, T. violaceus increased its predation on A. aegypti larvae, possibly in order to increase its nutrient storage prior to pupation. Otherwise, low prey consumption can lead to a nutritional deficit for the larvae, delaying the adult's sexual development and reducing its egg production. Here we show that A. aegypti survival can be reduced by the T. violaceus fourth larvae predation under laboratory conditions
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Changes in the fat body during the post-embryonic development of the predator Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Neotropical Entomology, 2011Co-Authors: Tales Vicari Pascini, Evaldo F. Vilela, Daniel Simões Albeny, Marcelo Ramalho-ortigao, José Eduardo Serrão, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:Several studies have focused on understanding the biochemistry and morphology of the fat body of the hematophagous mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). In contrast, few studies, if any, have focused on morphological characters of the fat body in other mosquitoes, especially non-hematophagous taxa such as the culicid Toxorhynchites. Larvae of Toxorhynchites prey upon the larvae of other mosquito species and are used in vector mosquito control. We investigated aspects of the fat body trophocytes, including the morphometric analyses of the lipid droplets, protein granules and nuclei, during Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) post-embryonic development. Following the body weight increase from larval stage L2 to L4, the size of lipid droplets within the trophocytes also increase, and are likely the result of lipogenesis. Lipid droplets decrease in size during L4 to the female pupal stage and increase once again during the period from newly-emerged to mature adult females. Protein granules are observed for the first time in female pupae, and their appearance might be related to protein storage during metamorphosis. The size of the nucleus of trophocytes also increases during larval development, followed by a decrease during metamorphosis and an additional increase as adult female ages. In conclusion, the morphology of the fat body of T. theobaldi changes according to the developmental stage. Our study provides for the first time important insights into T. theobaldi fat body development and contributes to understand this species biology.
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Primeiro registro do gênero Toxorhynchites Theobald (Diptera, Culicidae) em Mata Atlântica, Viçosa, Minas Gerais
Revista Ceres, 2010Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Cassiano Sousa Rosa, Livia M. S. Ataide, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:The occurrence of the genus Toxorhynchites (Diptera, Culicidae) was evaluated during the months March and April 2007 in fragments of Atlantic Forest in the city of Vicosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 500 oviposition traps were used in the experiment. This is the first record of the genus Toxorhynchites in Vicosa and the first record of the species T. pusillus (Costa Lima, 193 1) and T. theobaldi (Dyar & Knab, 1906) in Minas Gerais State. In this scientific note, the species reported as first record and their distribution are described and discussed.
Gustavo Ferreira Martins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Midgut of the non-hematophagous mosquito Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Raquel S.m. Godoy, Kenner Morais Fernandes, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:In most mosquito species, the females require a blood-feeding for complete egg development. However, in Toxorhynchites mosquitoes, the eggs develop without blood-feeding, and both females and males exclusively feed on sugary diets. The midgut is a well-understood organ in blood-feeding mosquitoes, but little is known about it in non-blood-feeding ones. In the present study, the detailed morphology of the midgut of Toxorhynchites theobaldi were investigated using histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The midgut of female and male T. theobaldi adults consists of a long, slender anterior midgut (AMG), and a short, dilated posterior midgut (PMG). The AMG is subdivided into AMG1 (short, with folds) and AMG2 (long, without folds). Nerve branches and enteroendocrine cells are present in AMG and PMG, respectively. Compared with the PMG of blood-feeding female mosquitoes, the PMG of T. theobaldi is smaller; however, in both mosquitoes, PMG seems be the main region of food digestion and absorption, and protein secretion. The epithelial folds present in the AMG of T. theobaldi have not been reported in other mosquitoes; however, the midgut muscle organization and endocrine control of the digestion process are conserved in both T. theobaldi and blood-feeding mosquitoes.
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changes in the fat body during the post embryonic development of the predator Toxorhynchites theobaldi dyar knab diptera culicidae
Neotropical Entomology, 2011Co-Authors: Tales Vicari Pascini, Evaldo F. Vilela, Daniel Simões Albeny, José Eduardo Serrão, Marcelo Ramalhoortigao, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:Several studies have focused on understanding the biochemistry and morphology of the fat body of the hematophagous mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). In contrast, few studies, if any, have focused on morphological characters of the fat body in other mosquitoes, especially non-hematophagous taxa such as the culicid Toxorhynchites. Larvae of Toxorhynchites prey upon the larvae of other mosquito species and are used in vector mosquito control. We investigated aspects of the fat body trophocytes, including the morphometric analyses of the lipid droplets, protein granules and nuclei, during Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) post-embryonic development. Following the body weight increase from larval stage L2 to L4, the size of lipid droplets within the trophocytes also increase, and are likely the result of lipogenesis. Lipid droplets decrease in size during L4 to the female pupal stage and increase once again during the period from newly-emerged to mature adult females. Protein granules are observed for the first time in female pupae, and their appearance might be related to protein storage during metamorphosis. The size of the nucleus of trophocytes also increases during larval development, followed by a decrease during metamorphosis and an additional increase as adult female ages. In conclusion, the morphology of the fat body of T. theobaldi changes according to the developmental stage. Our study provides for the first time important insights into T. theobaldi fat body development and contributes to understand this species biology.
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Aedes aegypti survival in the presence of Toxorhynchites violaceus (Diptera: Culicidae) fourth instar larvae
Zoologia (Curitiba), 2011Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Mateus R. Andrade, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Gustavo Ferreira Martins, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Different methods have been used to control A. aegypti, including chemical and biological tools. However, chemical control can lead to a subsequent increase in the mosquitoes' insecticide resistance, and biological control represents an important method as an alternative to insecticide usage. Larvae from the Toxorhynchites genus (Diptera: Culicidae) are predators of other mosquitoes and represent a potential natural biocontrol agent of A. aegypti larvae. In the present work, A. aegypti larval survival was studied in the presence of the neotropical Toxorhynchites violaceus (Wiedemann, 1821) fourth instar larvae. Toxorhynchites violaceus consumption of A. aegypti increased during the 192 hours of the experiment and was more marked in the intervals between 96 and 120 hours and between 168 and 192 hours, when the A. aegypti survival reached 0%. During the fourth instar, T. violaceus increased its predation on A. aegypti larvae, possibly in order to increase its nutrient storage prior to pupation. Otherwise, low prey consumption can lead to a nutritional deficit for the larvae, delaying the adult's sexual development and reducing its egg production. Here we show that A. aegypti survival can be reduced by the T. violaceus fourth larvae predation under laboratory conditions
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Changes in the fat body during the post-embryonic development of the predator Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Neotropical Entomology, 2011Co-Authors: Tales Vicari Pascini, Evaldo F. Vilela, Daniel Simões Albeny, Marcelo Ramalho-ortigao, José Eduardo Serrão, Gustavo Ferreira MartinsAbstract:Several studies have focused on understanding the biochemistry and morphology of the fat body of the hematophagous mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). In contrast, few studies, if any, have focused on morphological characters of the fat body in other mosquitoes, especially non-hematophagous taxa such as the culicid Toxorhynchites. Larvae of Toxorhynchites prey upon the larvae of other mosquito species and are used in vector mosquito control. We investigated aspects of the fat body trophocytes, including the morphometric analyses of the lipid droplets, protein granules and nuclei, during Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab) post-embryonic development. Following the body weight increase from larval stage L2 to L4, the size of lipid droplets within the trophocytes also increase, and are likely the result of lipogenesis. Lipid droplets decrease in size during L4 to the female pupal stage and increase once again during the period from newly-emerged to mature adult females. Protein granules are observed for the first time in female pupae, and their appearance might be related to protein storage during metamorphosis. The size of the nucleus of trophocytes also increases during larval development, followed by a decrease during metamorphosis and an additional increase as adult female ages. In conclusion, the morphology of the fat body of T. theobaldi changes according to the developmental stage. Our study provides for the first time important insights into T. theobaldi fat body development and contributes to understand this species biology.
John R. Linley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Behavior on Approach to Surface Prey by Larvae of Toxorhynchites amboinensis and T. brevipalpis (Diptera: Culicidae)
Journal of Medical Entomology, 1995Co-Authors: John R. LinleyAbstract:Behavior of Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Doleschall) and Toxorhynchites hrevipalpis (Theobald) larvae (starved 48 h) as they approach and capture surface prey is described quantitatively from videotaped records. Of 106 T. amboinensis and 82 T. brevipalpis larvae observed, 84.9 and 97.6%, respectively, responded to the presence of surface prey within 2 min (most
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behavior on approach to surface prey by larvae of Toxorhynchites amboinensis and t brevipalpis diptera culicidae
Journal of Medical Entomology, 1995Co-Authors: John R. LinleyAbstract:Behavior of Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Doleschall) and Toxorhynchites hrevipalpis (Theobald) larvae (starved 48 h) as they approach and capture surface prey is described quantitatively from videotaped records. Of 106 T. amboinensis and 82 T. brevipalpis larvae observed, 84.9 and 97.6%, respectively, responded to the presence of surface prey within 2 min (most <20 s ). Once they detected prey, larvae executed initial backward swims if prey was rearwardly positioned, then approached it in a series of undulatory forward swims with progressive adjustments of body angle so that the final movements were directly toward the prey. Swims consisted of an active phase, during which propulsive bodily flexions were made and a passive one of continued inertial drift after active motion had ceased. Quantitative changes in the nature of the swims in terms of interval separating active phases and also distances, times, and speeds throughout the approach sequence were analyzed from the video tapes. T. brevipalpis responded to the presence of prey more rapidly, captured prey in less time, and approached prey more rapidly, with shorter rest periods between active swim phases than T. amboinensis . The behavior indicated that Toxorhynchites larvae are able to assess both the angle to surface prey and its distance and that they interpolate this information to optimize the approach path. The degree of refinement in this behavior indicates that it is well adapted to take advantage of the important surface food source in nature. In this phase of their feeding, Toxorhynchites larvae are active hunters and are not entirely the passive ambush predators they have seemed to be from many studies that have used other mosquito larvae as (subsurface) prey.
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Search behavior associated with egg cannibalism in Toxorhynchites amboinensis and Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus (Diptera: Culicidae).
Journal of Medical Entomology, 1993Co-Authors: John R. Linley, K. DarlingAbstract:Observations based on time-lapse video recordings were used to study behavior associated with egg cannibalism in fourth-instar Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Doleschall) and Tx. r. rutilus (Coquillett). Analysis indicated that, once triggered by finding of the first egg, larvae of both species engaged in a systematic search of the water surface in an attempt to find additional eggs, which were often seized and eaten. Seven behavioral elements were identified in the search repertoire, and their relationships studied by analysis of a matrix of preceding and succeeding behaviors. The pivotal behavior was "sweep-adjust," which accounted for 87.2% of the time budget in Tx. amboinensis and 73.3% in Tx. r. rutilus. Activity in sweep-adjust consisted predominantly of side-to-side sweeps of the head, held just below the surface, punctuated by small forward adjustments of position. Quantitative aspects of the sweep arcs, in terms of angular and linear velocity, were determined for the two species. Eggs encountered during search probably were detected by mechanoreception, only within a very limited, kidney-shaped zone (area approximately 9.8 mm2) centered at the anterior margin of the head. Eggs were seized with the lateral palatal brushes but without head extension as seen in strikes at subsurface prey.
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Egg of Toxorhynchites splendens described and compared with the egg of Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Diptera: Culicidae).
Journal of Medical Entomology, 1990Co-Authors: John R. Linley, F. SeaburyAbstract:The egg of Toxorhynchites splendens (Wiedemann) is described with the aid of scanning electron micrographs. The outer chorionic cells contain uniform complements of tubercles over the entire surface of the egg, except for a very small area surrounding the micropyle. Each cell contains a single large tubercle of constant diameter ($\bar x$, 10.6 µ m) surrounded by 6–11 ($\bar x$, 7.7) smaller tubercles of variable diameter ($\bar x$, 5.6 µ m; range, 2.1–9.3 µ m). The tubercle surfaces consist of narrow ridges, with separating clefts originating radially at the top of each tubercle and running longitudinally down the tubercle sides. The micropyle is surrounded by a collar of large (about 25 µ m long), fused tubercles, which almost invariably are folded together, concealing the micropylar opening. The egg of Tx. splendens differs from that of Tx. amboinensis in the following ways. The number of visible small tubercles surrounding the single large one in each outer chorionic cell is significantly greater in Tx. splendens ($\bar x$, 7.7 versus 6.3). Also, the number of ridges counted around the periphery of each large tubercle (viewed from above) is significantly greater in Tx. splendens ($\bar x$, 25.1 versus 21.3).
Mateus R. Andrade - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Efficiency of the Induced Mating Technique for Toxorhynchites Theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)
Elsevier, 2015Co-Authors: Daniel Albeny-simões, Angélica Soligo Cassol, Jennifer A. Breaux, Mateus R. Andrade, Eraldo Lima, Evaldo VilelaAbstract:Toxorhynchites mosquitoes play important ecological roles in aquatic microenvironments, and are frequently investigated as potential biological control agents of mosquito disease vectors. Establishment of Toxorhynchites laboratory colonies can be challenging because for some species, mating and insemination either do not occur or require a prohibitive amount of laboratory space for success. Consequently, artificial insemination techniques have been developed to assist with mass rearing of these species. Herein we describe an adapted protocol for colony establishment of T. theobaldi, a species with broad distribution in the Neotropics. The success of the technique and its implications are discussed. Keywords: Induced mating, Colony maintenance, Toxorhynchite
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Efficiency of the induced mating technique for Toxorhynchites theobaldi (Diptera, Culicidae)
Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 2015Co-Authors: Daniel Albeny-simões, Angélica Soligo Cassol, Jennifer A. Breaux, Mateus R. Andrade, Eraldo R. Lima, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Toxorhynchites mosquitoes play important ecological roles in aquatic microenvironments, and are frequently investigated as potential biological control agents of mosquito disease vectors. Establishment of Toxorhynchites laboratory colonies can be challenging because for some species, mating and insemination either do not occur or require a prohibitive amount of laboratory space for success. Consequently, artificial insemination techniques have been developed to assist with mass rearing of these species. Herein we describe an adapted protocol for colony establishment of T. theobaldi, a species with broad distribution in the Neotropics. The success of the technique and its implications are discussed.
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Attracted to the enemy: Aedes aegypti prefers oviposition sites with predator-killed conspecifics
Oecologia, 2014Co-Authors: Daniel Albeny-simões, Mateus R. Andrade, Eraldo Lima, Ebony G. Murrell, Simon L. Elliot, Steven A. Juliano, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:Oviposition habitat choices of species with aquatic larvae are expected to be influenced by both offspring risk of mortality due to predation, and offspring growth potential. Aquatic predators may indirectly influence growth potential for prey by reducing prey density and, for filter-feeding prey, by increasing bacterial food for prey via added organic matter (feces, partially eaten victims), creating the potential for interactive effects on oviposition choices. We tested the hypothesis that the mosquito Aedes aegypti preferentially oviposits in habitats with predatory Toxorhynchites larvae because of indirect effects of predation on chemical cues indicating bacterial abundance. We predicted that A. aegypti would avoid oviposition in sites with Toxorhynchites , but prefer to oviposit where bacterial food for larvae is abundant, and that predation by Toxorhynchites would increase bacterial abundances. Gravid A. aegypti were offered paired oviposition sites representing choices among: predator presence; the act of predation; conspecific density; dead conspecific larvae; and bacterial activity. A. aegypti preferentially oviposited in sites with Toxorhynchites theobaldi predation, and with killed conspecific larvae, but failed to detect preferences for other treatments. The antibiotic tetracycline eliminated the strongest oviposition preference. Both predation by Toxorhynchites and killed larvae increased bacterial abundances, suggesting that oviposition attraction is cued by bacteria. Our results show the potential for indirect effects, like trophic cascades, to influence oviposition choices and community composition in aquatic systems. Our results suggest that predators like Toxorhynchites may be doubly beneficial as biocontrol agents because of the attraction of ovipositing mosquitoes to bacterial by-products of Toxorhynchites feeding.
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Aedes aegypti survival in the presence of Toxorhynchites violaceus (Diptera: Culicidae) fourth instar larvae
Zoologia (Curitiba), 2011Co-Authors: Daniel Simões Albeny, Mateus R. Andrade, Rodrigo Ferreira Kruger, Gustavo Ferreira Martins, Evaldo F. VilelaAbstract:The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the main vector of dengue and yellow fever viruses. Different methods have been used to control A. aegypti, including chemical and biological tools. However, chemical control can lead to a subsequent increase in the mosquitoes' insecticide resistance, and biological control represents an important method as an alternative to insecticide usage. Larvae from the Toxorhynchites genus (Diptera: Culicidae) are predators of other mosquitoes and represent a potential natural biocontrol agent of A. aegypti larvae. In the present work, A. aegypti larval survival was studied in the presence of the neotropical Toxorhynchites violaceus (Wiedemann, 1821) fourth instar larvae. Toxorhynchites violaceus consumption of A. aegypti increased during the 192 hours of the experiment and was more marked in the intervals between 96 and 120 hours and between 168 and 192 hours, when the A. aegypti survival reached 0%. During the fourth instar, T. violaceus increased its predation on A. aegypti larvae, possibly in order to increase its nutrient storage prior to pupation. Otherwise, low prey consumption can lead to a nutritional deficit for the larvae, delaying the adult's sexual development and reducing its egg production. Here we show that A. aegypti survival can be reduced by the T. violaceus fourth larvae predation under laboratory conditions
