Competition and growth among Aedes aegypti larvae: Effects of distributing food inputs over time.

ABSTRACT: Male and female mosquito larvae compete for different subsets of the yeast food resource in laboratory microcosms. Males compete more intensely with males, and females with females. The amount and timing of food inputs alters both growth and competition, but the effects are different between sexes. Increased density increases competition among males. Among females, density operates primarily by changing the food/larva or total food; this affects competition in some interactions and growth in others. Food added earlier in the life span contributes more to mass than the same quantity added later. After a period of starvation larvae appear to use some of the subsequent food input to rebuild physiological reserves in addition to building mass. The timing of pupation is affected by the independ

SUBMITTER: Steinwascher K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7531853 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature