Research on the larvae of three mosquito species reveals impressive hunting techniques, such as body bending and thrusting their heads forward.
Dr. Robert Hancock, a biologist at Metropolitan State University of Denver, along with his colleagues, utilized high-speed microscopic filming techniques to study the hunting methods of the larvae from three mosquito species, as reported by IFL Science on October 14.
Hunting technique of the larvae of Sabethes cyaneus. (Video: IFL Science)
Predatory mosquitoes from the family Cilicidae are quite common in the insect world. However, most previous studies lacked the equipment to delve deeper into the prey-catching mechanisms of the three mosquito species in Hancock’s research. This new study has been published in the journal Annals of the Entomological Society of America.
The hunting behaviors of the two species Toxorhynchites amboinensis and Psorophora ciliata share three similarities. The first is the accumulation of pressure in the abdomen to thrust the head toward the prey. The second point involves the opening of the LPB – a specialized mouthpart of mosquito larvae. The third is the extension of the jaws with sharp teeth, opening as wide as possible, ready to deliver a lethal bite.
In contrast, the species Sabethes cyaneus employs an entirely different hunting technique. When attacking, they use a siphon (a tube typically used for breathing) and a bending posture to capture their target and pull it toward their mouth. They then tear into the prey with their jaws and consume it, although they do not always eat the entire prey. The research team also conducted experiments to see if this species exhibited cannibalistic behavior, but found that all larvae of the same species remained alive.
Hunting technique of the larvae of Psorophora ciliata. (Video: IFL Science)
Both Toxorhynchites amboinensis and Psorophora ciliata do not rely on siphoning techniques for hunting. Instead, they thrust their heads toward the prey after retracting at least part of their abdomen. This action is combined with quickly opening both the jaws and the LPB. Although Toxorhynchites amboinensis and Psorophora ciliata are only distantly related, they have evolved very similar methods of capturing prey. Previously, scientists had never observed the formation of a “prey basket” with the LPB of Toxorhynchites amboinensis. Additionally, the hunting technique of thrusting the head forward had not been described in detail before.
While the hunting technique may appear less impressive, Sabethes cyaneus can catch prey from a greater distance due to its body-bending method. Although this species has the ability to eliminate other mosquito larvae, the research team assessed that consuming them is “strange and inefficient.” Therefore, they believe that Sabethes cyaneus only kills these larvae to reduce competition rather than for consumption.
