Rainpools as breeding and dispersal sites of mosquitoes and other aquatic insects in the Central Negev Desert

Abstract

During a faunistic survey of temporary rainpools of the Central Negev, the following mosquito species were found: Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart), Culex laticinctus Edwards and Culex adairi Kirkpatrick. Physico-chemical features of the rainpools were recorded. C. longiareolata breeding sites were found under a wider range of abiotic conditions (temperature, conductivity, pH and various ions) than those of the other species. The most restricted species was C. adairi. Characteristics of the mosquitoes’ breeding sites and the role played by temporary rainpools in the distribution of mosquitoes across the Negev Desert are discussed. A dispersal mechanism for aquatic desert insects is proposed involving the use of temporary pools as stepping stones to connect the oasis refuges.