Mosquito lava and tadpoles ?

Krewella · #1 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 07:35 PM

Have been checking the pond and found little tiny insects like little sticks in it and they sort of sqiggle (a technical term) and make c shapes. Ive been told by a friend who hasn't seen them they are mosquito lava. My question is are they likely to do any damage to the tadpoles ? or will the tadpoles / froglets eat them ?
Thanks Leza

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 07:45 PM

The Mossie larvae would probably be the victims but predation is unlikely

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 07:58 PM

If they are red they could be blood worms. You can buy them as fish food. Not sure what the black ones are maybe none biting midge larvae. Or mossie's. If you have fish, dragonfly or damselfly nymphs or newts they will all eat them.

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krewella

Have been checking the pond and found little tiny insects like little sticks in it and they sort of sqiggle (a technical term) and make c shapes. Ive been told by a friend who hasn't seen them they are mosquito lava. My question is are they likely to do any damage to the tadpoles ? or will the tadpoles / froglets eat them ?
Thanks Leza

Unless they are large bottom-dwelling carnivores (such as beetle or dragonfly larvae) then they will do no harm and, as you suggest, will provide valuable food for the taddies when they grow up! They might be skeeter larvae or several other things - best not to worry about them (although always interesting to find out, off course) and certainly don't interfere.
If, for instance, you have dragonfly larvae, they may eat a few tadpoles but not all of them, and you will end up with some dragon-/damselflies.

brainfarmer · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 11:34 PM

if they do that weird c thing they more likely midge larvae and deserve to get eaten. we dont get many mosquitos that breed over here tho i bet someone will say different.

brainfarmer · #6 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 11:36 PM

tho dagenhem and redhttp://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/6-living/public-health/pdf/hcs-pest-fsh-mosquito.pdfbridge council say different

ollyk · #7 (**permalink**) 14-04-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainfarmer

if they do that weird c thing they more likely midge larvae and deserve to get eaten. we dont get many mosquitos that breed over here tho i bet someone will say different.

Yes I utterly dissagree! Look in any water body (even some puddles) and you will usually find evidence of mozzie lava! I can't put my hand in water if I see too many of them

Oh I wonder if the 'c' thing is the pupa stage?

brainfarmer · #8 (**permalink**) 14-04-2007, 02:05 PM

yes as i have had to admit on another thread there are mozzies in the uk but ive honestly never ever seen one in my neck of the woods. i have been bitten by the buggers through out europe though.

Krewella · #9 (**permalink**) 15-04-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied they don't seem to be doning tads any harm at the moment to will leave them and see what happens

ollyk · #10 (**permalink**) 15-04-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainfarmer

yes as i have had to admit on another thread there are mozzies in the uk but ive honestly never ever seen one in my neck of the woods. i have been bitten by the buggers through out europe though.

I do promise they are everywhere LOL! You are far more likely to notice mozzies than midges although I guess UK mozzies maybe aren't as loud or quite so big as other countries. Maybe what you ahve called a midge all your life isn't?