Sex-specific functional responses of dragonfly naiads Rhodothemis rufa on Culex quinquefasciatus larvae in laboratory bioassay

ABSTRACT

Laboratory bioassay was conducted to establish the biocontrol potentiality of naiads (aquatic nymphal stage) of Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842) against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus, a common vector of filariasis in Tropical countries. From the study, it was noticed that in laboratory condition, the rate of predation of males of R. rufa was higher than that of females of almost same size and same species. The results of the present study revealed that both sexes displayed a density-dependent decelerating type-II functional response as the logistic regression estimated a significant negative linear parameter (P₁ value of −0.330 and −0.151 for males and females, respectively). Attack rate was almost similar for both sexes (0.082); however, handling time is less in males (0.62 min) than in females (0.852 min). The predator species usually coexist in the same aquatic habitat to that of mosquito larvae and can be effectively used in field condition to reduce the larval densities of mosquitoes in temporary or permanent aquatic water bodies.

KEYWORDS:

• Dragonfly
• naiad
• functional response
• attack rate
• handling time

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.