Diel oviposition patterns of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes triseriatus (Say) in the laboratory and the field.
The oviposition patterns of Aedes albopictus and Aedes triseriatus were observed in preliminary field experiments during the summer of 1995 and in the laboratory the following winter. Aedes albopictus exhibited a diel periodicity of oviposition in the field, ovipositing a significantly greater number of eggs during the day than during the night (P = 0.0001). Laboratory observations for 40 consecutive hours indicated that Ae. albopictus oviposited only during the hours of light, with a broad peak of oviposition activity occurring in mid-afternoon. Aedes triseriatus, however, oviposited during all periods of the day and night in the field. A significantly greater number of eggs were oviposited in traps open 24 hours than in traps open only during the day (P = 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in the number of eggs deposited in traps open 24 hours and those open only during the night (P = 0.14). In the laboratory, Ae. triseriatus oviposited during all periods of light and dark, with a distinct peak of oviposition activity occurring during the evening crepuscular period.
Trexler
J D
JD
Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7647, USA.
Apperson
C S
CS
Schal
C
C
D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition