Oviposition is a critical stage in the mosquito lifecycle, and may determine population levels, distribution, biting behavior, and pathogen transmission. Knowledge of the oviposition behavior of Culex restuans Theobald has become particularly important with the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America. Laboratory and field studies have examined some factors that contribute to oviposition choice in Culex spp., but few studies have investigated responses to cues of future competition and breeding habitat availability in the field. We hypothesized that female Cx. restuans mosquitoes avoid laying eggs in habitats containing cues of larval competition, and that increased availability of larval habitat decreases egg density. To test these hypotheses, a series of field experiments were conducted in southeastern Michigan during summer 2002. We found that female mosquitoes prefer nutrient-enriched containers and decrease ovipositing in containers with conspecific larvae. In addition, greater habitat abundance decreased egg clutch density per container, although there was considerable aggregation of egg clutches. These results support our hypotheses and have potentially important implications for pathogen transmission by mosquitoes.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2004
Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) Oviposition Behavior Determined by Larval Habitat Quality and Quantity in Southeastern Michigan
Michael H. Reiskind,
Mark L. Wilson
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
It is not available for individual sale.
This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
It is not available for individual sale.
Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 41 • No. 2
March 2004
Vol. 41 • No. 2
March 2004
density dependence
landscape ecology
larval habitat
mosquito oviposition
West Nile virus