Behavior and Risk of Predation in Larval Tree Hole Mosquitoes: Effects of Hunger and Population History of Predation

We compare fixed behavior patterns and estimate associated risk of predation for eight populations of Aedes triseriatus at different levels of hunger, produced by manipulation of food availability prior to the test. Activity patterns (frequencies of browsing, filtering, resting, and thrashing) varied significantly among populations, hut did not differ significantly between populations from sympatry with the predator Toxorhynchites rutilus vs those from allopatry to this predator. Activity patterns were affected by hunger, with increasing hunger associated with decreasing thrashing and resting, and increasing browsing. Food affected activity in all populations in a similar fashion