Distribution and Abundance of Microvelia Cavicola Polhemus (heteroptera: Velimae) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama

-Data and observations from 1995, 1996 and 1997 wet season surveys of natural and artificial tree holes suggest that hole morphology and size are important predictors of the distribution and abundance of Microvelia cavicola Polhemus. The bugs occurred in 42% of the natural holes sampled and <3% of artificial hole censuses. The distribution of M. cavicola was not associated with holes in particular tree species or with hole height above the ground. Abundance increased with hole size and decreased with hole height. Analyses of presence/ absence data showed significant withinand between-year microhabitat fidelity in this species. Microvelia cavicola reduced the emergence success of mosquitoes in a laboratory experiment, but their quantitative effect on mosquitoes in natural conditions is unknown.