188 - A high-tech cinematic journey through the behavioral compendium of Sabethes mosquitoes

Abstract: In addition to their striking iridescence and ornamentation, mosquitoes in the Neotropical Genus Sabethes exhibit exquisite courtships, egg-throwing through tiny holes, wicked larval predation on other mosquitoes, nose biting, and more. Modern high-tech imaging has greatly increased our ability to record ethological details at high resolutions, high speeds, and high magnifications. We are using high-speed micro-videography with specialized optics to both describe new behaviors and to shed new light on others previously described. Our 10-minute narrated scientific film will include: 1) a brief introduction to Panamanian and path-finding “sabethologist” Pedro Galindo and a summary of his 20th century descriptions of behaviors exhibited by the forest yellow fever vector Sabethes (Sabethoides) chloropterus (Humbolt, 1819); 2) newly published videos of Sabethes (Sabethes) cyaneus (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1827) larvae using their siphons to snare larval prey; 3) possible sexual signaling through male antennae and halteres movement that accompany the complex leg movements in the courtship of midleg-paddled Sa. cyaneus; 4) new work on the angular capabilities and accuracy of both aforementioned species in “egg-throwing” oviposition and how wing movement and appendage positioning change with egg-release angle; and 5) the curious act of nasophily by biting females.