A comparison of mosquito predation by the fish Pseudomugil signifier Kner and Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) in laboratory trials.

Using larval Cx. annulirostris mosquitoes, this study compared the predation rate of Pseudomugil signifer and Gambusia holbrooki for four larval instars, three prey densities, and three vegetation densities. There was no significant difference in the quantity of first, second, and third instar larvae consumed by the two fish species after 24 h. There was a significant negative relationship between the predation rate and both larval instar and prey density for both fish species. In simulated vegetation trials, P. signifer performed marginally better than G. holbrooki in medium to high density vegetation (0.3 stems/cm 2 and 0.6 stems/cm2, respectively).