TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF MATING AND PREDATION IN MOSQUITO SWARMS

We determined the numbers of copulations and predatory attacks in swar ms of Anopheles freeborni (Diptera: Culicidae), and the distribution o f these events throughout the duration of the swarming period each day . On 19 evenings of observation, we recorded 2724 copulating pairs lea ving swarms and 1351 dragonfly (Pantala hymenaea and Erythemis colloca ta) attacks. Mating activity partially coincided with predator activit y. Most copulations occurred between 10 and 20 min after the swarms fo rmed, while predation events were most frequent during the initial 15 min of the swarm. We calculated the ratio of copulations to predatory attacks during the swarming period. This ratio was significantly highe r in an area sheltered by trees than it was in the open. We suggest th at physiological and ecological constraints other than predation opera te on the mating system of this anopheline to affect the timing of swa rm initiation and swarm site selection.