Abstract
Understanding larval behavior can provide insights into larval behavior organization which can be exploited to design new larva control methods.
We compared the behavior of three mosquito species to
determine differences in behavior organization and the time budget of each behavior. Transitions from one behavior to another for all observations were collated into a matrix of preceding and succeeding behavior with the diagonal held at logical zero. G-test was used to
test first-order transitions for significantly greater occurrence than expected by chance.
The common behavior in Anopheles stephensi larvae was float/interfacial feed followed by bottom feeding, float/suspension feeding and diving. The other behaviors were not common. The common behavior in Aedes albopictus larvae was float/suspension feed followed by rise and brushwall. The other behaviors were not
common. The common behavior in Culex pipiens larvae was suspension feed. The other behaviors were not common.
These differences in the behavior organization can be exploited to design new larval control methods or improve existing ones.
Key words: Anopheles stephensi, Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus,
larva, behavior, behavior organization, behavior transition, time
budget.
