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Sammanfattning

Interspecific competition at breeding sites regulates oviposition site choice and egg laying in mosquitoes. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the role of odour cues associated with interspecific larval presence at oviposition sites in shaping niche separation, and competitive exclusion between the sympatric species, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Insecta: Culicidae). Gravid Ae. aegypti preferred to oviposit at sites in response to odours associated with low densities of 4th instar Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae, whereas Cx. quinquefasciatus preferred to oviposit at sites without heterospecific odours, in both multi-and dual-choice assays. Specific biologically active hydrocarbons and ketones, associated with the heterospecific larvae, were identified through combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), as well as GC and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. Oviposition site selection in response to synthetic blends of these compounds generally reflected that of the natural odour in the behavioural assays. This study demonstrates that select interspecific-related VOCs directly regulate oviposition site selection and thus indirectly regulate larval competition, while also providing functional evidence that the frequently overlooked hydrocarbons play a critical role in regulating a key behaviour of mosquitoes.

Nyckelord

Culicidae; oviposition; mosquito; semiochemicals; competition

Publicerad i

Entomologia Generalis
2025, volym: 45, nummer: 2, sidor: 451-460
Utgivare: E SCHWEIZERBARTSCHE VERLAGSBUCHHANDLUNG

SLU författare

UKÄ forskningsämne

Zoologi

Publikationens identifierare

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2025/2977

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142213