Environmental Entomology (1992) 21, 832-836

Carl J. Jones (1992)
In vitro changes in Toxorhynchites splendens growth and fecundity resulting from brine shrimp consumption in fresh and brackish water
Environmental Entomology 21 (4), 832-836
Abstract: Artemia salina (L.) specimens were fed ad libitum to Toxorhynchites splendens (Weidemann) larvae held at concentrations of 0-12 per mille sea salt. Above 8 per mille, salt concentrations adversely affected both pupal weight and mean larval developmental period significantly. Adverse effects on postlarval stages included an expanded pupal period and decreased reproductive capacity. When nectar feeding was discontinued 24 h after the onset of reproduction, overall egg production was higher for adults resulting from larvae fed A. salina at 8 per mille than for adults resulting from larvae fed mosquitos in deionized water. Sugar deprivation significantly decreased both the survival and reproduction of T. splendens reared at 10 and 12 per mille salt more than other treatments. A. salina appears to be a prey candidate for mass production of T. splendens at saline levels <10 per mille. Reproductive potential and rate of increase were higher for predators given brine shrimp in 8 per mille salt water than for those given mosquito larvae in deionized water.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Toxorhynchites splendens (predator)