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Distribution of the immature stages of Aedes vigilax on a coastal salt‐marsh in south‐east Queensland
Author(s) -
DALE P. E. R.,
HULSMAN K.,
HARRISON D.,
CONGDON B.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 0307-692X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1986.tb01397.x
Subject(s) - hatching , biology , salt marsh , marsh , diapause , larva , ecology , habitat , wetland
The distribution of eggs and larvae of Aedes vigilax was studied on part of a coastal salt‐marsh in south‐east Queensland. At the macro‐scale (8 ha area), the largest numbers of larvae hatched were from samples taken in areas with relatively low open vegetation adjacent to drainage channels. Such areas are likely to be suitable for egg conditioning and hatching and are also accessible to adult mosquitoes. At the micro‐scale (the environs of two small pools), most hatching occurred in narrow bands at specific elevations from the pool bottom but the relationship with vegetation was variable. Failure to hatch larvae from samples taken at the start of, or during, the cooler months was thought to be associated with egg diapause. At the macro‐scale whilst the marsh was flooded, most larvae were found in two habitat types: the tall dense Sporobolus virginicus in relatively elevated locations and in depressions dominated by Sarcocornia quinqueflora. At the meso‐scale (on a 1.4 ha grid) the distribution of larvae was found to be further related to water movement. Most larvae were in areas of slower water movement and appeared also to be redistributed by tides.