PREDATORY EFFICIENCY OF THE SEWAGE DRAIN INHABITING LARVAE OF TOXORHYNCHITES SPLENDENS

Abstract. The rate of predation by stage IV instar Toxorhynchites splendens larvae on the equivalent instar stage larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Armigeres subalbatus, co-occur-ring in sewage drains, were noted for a period of three consecutive days in the laboratory using different prey densities and combinations. The rate of predation varied by age of the predator, density of prey, and prey type. The number of Ar. subalbatus larvae consumed by a single Tx. splendens larva ranged between 0.50 ± 0.71 and 16.40 ± 2.01; while for Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae, the number consumed ranged from 0.20 ± 0.42 to 20.40 ± 1.43 per day. The pupation rates of the prey species varied in respect to control, with a minimum of 0.20 ± 0.42 pupa/day to a maximum of 12.20 ± 2.30 pupa/day in the presence of Tx. splendens. The values for the controls were 1.00 ± 0.87 and 14.44 ± 2.83 pupa/day, respectively. Irre-spective of prey densities and combinations, a single Tx. splendens fourth instar larvae was found to consume on average 10.07 larvae on the first day 16.57 larvae on the second day and 4.38 larvae on the third day, killing a total of 17.70 to 45.10 larvae, in three days. In the presence of Tx. splendens, the cumulative pupation, irrespective of prey, remained between 12.20 and 45.10, and differed significantly from control where the values were between 13.90 and 54.70. The results indicate that Tx. splendens can significantly reduce immature numbers and lower the rate of pupation of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ar. subalbatus. Tx. splendens may be a potential biological resource in the control of mosquitoes inhabiting sewage drains