Larva Competition for Survival and Food Competition vs Food Availability Report

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My topic will be- Larva competition for survival, and food competition vs. food availability.

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Larva Competition for Survival, and Food Competition versus Food Availability
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Page 1 of 7

Larva Competition for Survival, and Food Competition versus Food Availability
Project Summary
This paper explores the larva competition for survival and the food competition versus food
availability for larvae while focusing on the mosquito as a disease-transmitting insect. Larval
competition is a phenomenon observable in container-bleeding mosquitos. In this paper, the
impact of the competition on larval growth and adult longevity has been covered
comprehensively. Larval growth rate and longevity of adults' parameters influence changes in
disease transmission by the mosquitoes and, hence it is crucial to study these factors. They give
the relationship between ecological processes, which illustrate precise connection on densitydependent population models of larval mosquitoes and the epidemiological models of the
mosquito-borne disease transmission.
The paper also shows that food competition varies between male and female larvae. This
variation is influenced by food availability in the larvae environment. The food level and larva
density affect the intraspecific competition between the males and the females. In other words,
food per larva, total food, and larva density are interdependent factors that influence competition
among the mosquito larvae. This paper entails this information where the reader will obtain
detailed information on the larva competition for survival, food competition, and food
availability.

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Interaction between Larval Competition and Adult Longevity
Larval competition influences adult longevity negatively. Areas with larva competitive
environments have high larva densities that lead to decreased longevity of the resulting adult
insects. The competitiveness of the larva environment is dependent on the humidity of a given
region. Larva survives better in areas of high humidity conditions than those with low humidity
conditions. Under high humidity conditions, the larva is active and feeds better than in lowhumidity ones. In the high humidity conditions, larva density is relatively high leading to high
larva competition. Eventually, the competition leads to the unavailability of food in the larva
environment. Hence the adult longevity reduces in such areas while the larva density remains
high.
Larval competition is impactful on the growth and survival of larval mosquitoes. The
effects of this competition continue even in the adulthood stage. Such impacts include adult
longevity, interactions between male and female adults, and interactions between adult
mosquitoes with viral pathogens (Steinwascher, 2018). The larval competition also affects the
virulence in an obligate parasite. Effects of larval competition rely on the species of the
mosquitoes. For instance, larval competition influences adult longevity in Ae. Aegypti larvae
species.
Food Competition versus Food Availability
Competition influences the organization of larval naturally, even though the observation
is made rarely. Food competition affects the outcomes of microcosms- the organized
communities of the larva. The microcosms of aegypti larvae depend on food availability and
larval density to feed competitively (Steinwascher, 2018). Therefore, food availability and larva
density influence intraspecific competition among the larva.

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Male and female larvae possess different competitiveness for yeast cells; female larvae
are more competitive than male ones. Female larvae have large retaining cells in their gut that
aids them in storing food when there is inadequacy. The pupal masses of males and females
decrease when there is intensified competition. Hence the effect of the competition is the
apparent food levels. Food availability and larval density also influence the pupation age.
However, pupation delays when the food is limiting and in abundance; only resultant cues differ
between the male and the female.
The distribution of food in a given time influences the intraspecific competition for larvae.
For instance, rainfall washes the extra foods into containers where the larvae inhabit. Hence rain
introduces abundant food availability in a larval density area. The larval density and food
availability lead to the formation of microcosms (Da Silva et al., 2019). The minimal
competitions and intermediate levels regulate food amount and the period over which the food is
allocated to each microcosm.
Food amounts alter growth and food competition between male and female larvae.
Resultant effects are different between males and females, especially the interactions. Female
larvae are affected by food competition and larvae competition, while males are affected by the
growth alone (Ezeakacha & Yee, 2019). Generally, food competition and availability affect
males and females differently. Females dominate competition more than males, especially when
the total food value is directly proportional to the larva levels. As a result, the growth of female
larvae decreases, leading to a non-competitive interaction.
Males interact themselves while female interacts with females to share similar
interactions. In females, the larva density changes with an increase in food availability. As a
result, females compete in some interactions and growth in others (Ezeakacha & Yee, 2019).

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Density varies when the food availability reduces through competition or alteration of food level.
Population increase for female larva is dependent on food availability. Hence larva density and
food availability determine food competition among the similar sex.
Competition is the aftermath of multiple individual actions and interactions and leads to a
specific distribution of larval sizes fo...

PuevfYnoerGhgbe (31905)
Duke University

Anonymous
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