Learning and memory in the mosquito Aedes aegypti shown by conditioning against oviposition deterrence.
Oviposition site choice by female mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L) (Diptera: Culicidae), was affected by rearing them in water treated with 0.016% of the repellent Mozaway trade mark containing citronella and neem. Given a choice between a bowl of repellent-treated and a bowl of untreated water, Ae. aegypti reared in untreated water strongly preferred to oviposit on the clean water (93-98%) instead of repellent-treated water. This demonstrates effective deterrence of oviposition by dilute Mozaway trade mark. Those reared in repellent-treated water were less deterred: 38-46% of their eggs were laid on the repellent-treated water and 54-62% on the clean water. Evidently the female mosquitoes reared in repellent-treated water were conditioned against oviposition site deterrence, as shown when choice tests were conducted 6 days post-emergence from the treated water. This demonstrates learning and memory in the mosquito Ae. aegypti, with implications for dengue vector surveillance and control.
Kaur
J S
JS
Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore. Jaspal_Sunita_Kaur@nea.gov.sg
Lai
Y L
YL
Giger
A D
AD
D000330:Aedes / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D007302:Insect Repellents; D014867:Water