Tannins in treehole habitats and their effects on Aedes sierrensis (Diptera: Culicidae) production and parasitism by Lambornella clarki (Ciliophora: Tetrahymenidae).

Tannin concentration, measured as total phenolics, varied widely in natural treehole water throughout the period of development for Aedes sierrensis (Ludlow), the western treehole mosquito. Tannic acid induced a parasitic response in free-living populations of the protozoan Lambornella clarki Corliss & Coats, an effect not entirely explained by acidity. Tannic acid concentration influenced mosquito developmental rates, survival, size, and proportion females more than food level, L. clarki parasite exposure, or any interaction of treatments for Ae. sierrensis populations reared in artificial microcosms exposed to natural conditions.