Aquatic insect community associated with Alocasia macrorrhiza (Araceae) in Venezuela, composition of fauna and insights into its natural history

Abstract

The plants of Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Don in Sweet, an Araceae imported from Asia, retain water in their foliar axils, called collectively phytotelmata, which harbor many arthropod communities. Leaf dehiscence and leaflet emergence cycles determine the simultaneous presence of various communities in each plant. Communities are dominated by larval Diptera, mainly 1 species of Psychodidae (Alepia sp.), 1 Chironomidae, and 13 Culicidae species. The study focussed on the latter, and five species were found to be most abundant. Experimental and phenological data, qualitative and quantitative composition of associated fauna, natural history of significant elements and characteristics of trophic, spatial, and temporal niches of Culicidae and other community insects are given to shed light on the structure and dynamics of these communities.