Experiments on the mating of Culex pipiens fatigans in the laboratory.
Few studies have been conducted into the mating and insemination of C. p. fatigans, despite the importance of this behavioural aspect for the production of fertile eggs and their development after a blood meal. Moreover, detailed knowledge of the behaviour of male mosquitos is required before the potentialities of genetic manipulation and sterile male techniques for the control and eradication of mosquitos can be fully investigated.The laboratory studies described in this paper show that high percentages of successful matings and insemination can be obtained in relatively small cages in the laboratory and suggest that the classical swarming of males, which takes place in the open, is not essential to mating.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003465:Culex; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction