Predators and Invaders in Florida Container Communities

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Predators and Invaders in Florida Container
Communities
P. Lounibos, M. Griswold B. Alto, U. of
Florida B. Kesavaraju S. Juliano, Illinois
State U.
1. Invasive A. albopictus are preferred to native
O. triseriatus as prey of larval predators in
Florida containers (Fig. A). 2. The coexistence
of these two prey mosquito species is
promoted by high levels of predation and leaves
(Fig. B). 3. In container communities, C.
appendiculata controls prey diversity and T.
rutilus regulates abundance (Fig. C). 4. The
demonstration of effects in experimental tires
suggests an important role of predation in
limiting invasion success (Fig. D).
Aedes albopictus (invasive)
Corethrella appendiculata IV instar consuming
Aedes II
Ochlerotatus triseriatus (native)
Toxorhynchites rutilus IV instar consuming Aedes
IV
Experiments conducted in beakers with both prey
species (24h Fig. A) or separated (hatch to
adult Fig. B), varying food and predation levels.
Fig. B. Composite index of performance shows high
levels of Food (leaves) and predation favor
coexistence of two prey spp.
Fig. A. Both C. appendiculata and T. rutilus (not
shown) significantly (agtgt.52) preferred A.
albopictus at all ratios.
Month-long experiment to examine invader
recruitment w w/o predators
Experiment outdoors in screened beakers to
examine role of predator species
Control 2 C. append. 1 T. rut. Both
Fig. D. A significant treatment effect on A.
albopictus abundance was mainly attributable to
tires w/o predators vs. tires with predators
Fig. C. A low level of C. appendiculata predation
supports prey co-existence compared to controls
with no predators, and survival with T. rutilus
alone is not different from both predators
together
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