[Seasonal dynamics of oviposition in non-autogenous population of Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Leningrad province].
Seasonal patterns of oviposition in a synanthropic unautogenous population of Culex pipiens pipiens mosquitoes from 69 suburban settlements (60 degrees 30' N, 30 degrees E') of the Leningrad province were studied during the period 1998-2002 years. The numbers of egg rafts laid in six artificial pools (barrels) were counted every day; altogether 692 rafts were collected. The general patterns of oviposition activity were similar for all studied years, in spite of their differences in the summer temperature regimes. The first peak of oviposition was observed during the second decade of July, the second peak--during the third decade of July--the first decade of August. The first and second summer generations of mosquitoes were responsible for these oviposition peaks, whereas the third generation completely entered the reproductive diapause. Thus, the oviposition activity was successfully used for populational monitoring of C. p. pipiens, that was for the first time recommended by Madder and co-authors (1980), taking into consideration the simplicity and economy of this technique. The differences in the attractiveness of distinct reservoirs for oviposition were recorded. The females preferred the barrels located on open sun-lit space and waters with organic pollution settled by mosquito larvae. Windly and rainy weather and also low (below 10 degrees C) night temperatures suppressed mosquito oviposition.
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D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D010058:Oviposition; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D012098:Reproduction; D012426:Russia; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D014887:Weather