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The functional response of Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus to changes in the population density of its prey Aedes aegypti
Author(s) -
HUBBARD STEPHEN F.,
O'MALLEY SEAN L. C.,
RUSSO RAYMOND
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2915.1988.tb00196.x
Subject(s) - predator , rutilus , biology , predation , aedes aegypti , functional response , larva , population density , population , zoology , ecology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
. We present an analysis of the functional response of the predator Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus (Coquillett) to changes in the density of the larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). The experiment was replicated for five different ages, and at three different densities of the predator. The data were fitted to Rogers' (1972) random predator equation by non‐linear least‐squares in order to estimate searching efficiency and handling time for each experimental treatment. The data show that estimated searching efficiencies are highest at intermediate ages of the predator for all predator densities tested. Handling time declines exponentially with increasing predator age. There is a marked interference effect; searching efficiency decreases with increased predator density, and this is most pronounced at intermediate prey ages. Estimated handling times increase with predator density at a rate which declines with increasing predator age.