Cumbersome in flight, they are most frequently seen resting near treeholes or engaging in their characteristic elliptical oviposition flight patterns at the mouth of natural and man-made containers. They are not known to oviposit in small ponds or other open water such as ground pools. Larval Behavior Larvae feed on the living macroinvertebrates inhabiting flooded treeholes, bromeliads and man-made containers. They are dependent on movement for prey location. Cannibalism is not uncommon, especially in small containers, but containers such as tires with ample food supplies may support half a dozen or more similarly sized larvae.
Larval behavior is especially intriguing with feeding dependent on prey size and availability.
Wanton killing of prey without feeding has been reported. Seasonality All known species are multivoltine. In the United States, Toxorhynchites generally overwinter as late larval instars. Diapause is controlled by day length, rather than temperature. Although the use of Toxorhynchites alone is unlikely to reduce pest or vector species below operational thresholds, they can be a valuable tool in areas where containers and treeholes contribute substantially to the standing crop of mosquitoes.