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DIPTERA, Culicidae -- <Images> & <Juveniles>

These are the mosquitoes, the larvae of a number of genera being predaceous on their own family, in some of which the habit is obligatory. Others attack a variety of insect larvae and smaller animals, including Crustacea, that occur in the pools they inhabit. An early review on predaceous habits of Culicidae was presented by Howard, Dyar & Knab (1912). Larvae of Psorophora, Megarhinus, Lutzia, Eucorethra, Chaoborus and Lesticocampa are very voracious, and even some Anopheles show a pronounced cannibalistic tendency. Often the prey is swallowed whole, rather than eaten in pieces (Clausen 1940/62). Species of the genera having a restricted habitat in tree holes and similar places are almost entirely predaceous. Megarhinus is considered valuable in controlling infestations of pest mosquitoes, and efforts have been made to introduce various species into several countries (see section on Medical/Veterinary entomology). Megarhinus splendens Wied. was established in Fiji from Java in 1931 (Clausen 1940/62).

References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library ]

Clausen, C. P. 1940. Entomophagous Insects. McGraw-Hill Book Co., NY. & London. 688 p.