Abstract
Oviposition site selection has been recognized as critical both for the survival and population dynamics of mosquitoes. Volatile substances released from larval habitats have been implicated as potential olfactory cues mediating oviposition. In our continuing studies of cues involved in oviposition site selection, we collected material from the larval habitats of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann and Anopheles vestitipennis Dyar & Knab, i.e., cyanobacterial mats and Typha domingensis Pers. litter, respectively. The volatile compounds were extracted by freeze-drying the material and trapping the volatilized material on a -55°C titanium condenser. For oviposition trials conducted with wild-caught females, the tested volatile materials were pipetted onto filters floating on the surface of distilled water in Teflon beakers that were placed within oviposition cages. For both species, volatile materials in low concentrations increased oviposition, assessed as egg density, whereas there was a shift to reduced oviposition at higher concentrations. Volatile effect was strongly habitat/species-specific as shown by reciprocal treatment tests.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 95-103 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Medical Entomology |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2005 |
Keywords
- Anopheles albimanus
- Anopheles vestitipennis
- Oviposition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology
- Veterinary (all)
- Insect Science
- Infectious Diseases