protective behaviour using safe biotope IDOMAL:0002349 IDOMAL:0002349 Mosquito larval habitats fall into two distinct classes: Phytotelmata and ground waters. Phytotelmata are bodies of water held in or upon parts of terrestrial plants. The greatest variety of phytotelmata occurs in the tropics. Ground waters are also of many types but are predominantly still waters. Whereas most phytotelmata are enclosed water bodies, most natural ground waters are open. The activities of human populations result in the appearance of new habitats colonized by mosquitoes. This is an important form of predator avoidance. A variety of relatively safe niches can be discerned among ground waters. idomal_namespace