The Functional Response of Toxorhynchites Rutilus Rutilus (Diptera: Culicidae), a Predator on Container-Breeding Mosquitoes1

This study approaches mosquito predation by Toxorhynchites r. rutilus in terms of the functional response of the predator. Toxorhynchites r. rutilus displays a Type II functional response, similar to that of most insect predators. Estimates of attack rates within and across its larval instars were not significantly different. The estimates for prey handling time showed no trend within the 4th instar, but decreased with each molt as the predator matured from 1st to 4th instar. At densities of 2 and 4 predators per container, attack rates decreased with increasing predator density, although they were not significantly different. Handling times significantly decreased as predator density increased. The study is summarized in the functional response surfaces for individual and total predator populations.