LARVAL AND PUPIL BEHAVIOUR IN CULISETA LONGIAREOLATA (MACQUART, 1838) (CULICIDAE, DIPTERA)

Abstract

Six larval and two pupal activities could be distinguished. The larval activities are medium filter-feeding (MFF), surface filter-feeding (SFF), browsing and gnawing (BRG), swimming (SS), surface hanging (HA) and grooming (GR). The pupal activities are limited to surface hanging (HA) and swimming (SS). The percentage value of each activity from eclosion to emergence of the adults was established by means of a six-channel manual recorder. In larvae HA is the predominant activity, shows an inverse relation with all other activities, and attains peak percentage values prior to each ecdysis. BRG is the most important method of feeding, and is followed by MFF and then by SFF in order of importance. SS accounts for a low percentage value. Initially it is depth-independent in first stage larvae, but later becomes depth-dependent. In pupae the HA percentage values are high, since the pupal stage is a period of quiescence. The SS percentage values are very low and could have been escape reactions to extraneous stimuli. No circadian rhythm could be detected in any of the activities.