Feeding preference of the predatory larvae of genus Lutzia (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquitoes are classified under the family Culicidae and comprise a monophyletic taxon belonging to order Diptera. Genus Lutzia belongs to subfamily Culicinae. Mosquitoes play a major role as vectors of many pathogens. The larva of Lutzia is known as predators of other mosquito larvae. To obtain some understanding of the predatory potential of Lutziaon Chironomous, Aedes and culexthis quantitative study was undertaken. The consumption pattern of Lutzia isstatistically significance (p<0.05) with hours of interval and the consumption percentages statistically significance (p<0.05) with different species. Lutzia gave high preference for Chironomous larvae, Aedes and Culex respectively.