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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238263
Title: Age modifies effect of body size on fecundity in Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).

Author
item MCCANN, SEAN
item DAY, JONATHAN
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy
item LORD, CYNTHIA

Submitted to: Journal of Vector Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Culex quinquefasciatus is one of the most important mosquito species in North America due to its status as a vector of arboviruses such as West Nile virus and its often close association with agricultural activities. A better understanding of the physiological attributes of these mosquitoes is critical for prediction of population increases and increased virus transmission. In this study, conducted in association with Sandra A. Allan at CMAVE, the effects of body size, blood meal size and age of mosquitoes on reproductive output was determined. Each of these factors affected egg production. This is the first discovery of an interaction between adult mosquito body size and age predicted fecundity and this provides an important factor that can be used in modeling mosquito populations and disease risk.

Technical Abstract: Culex quinquefasciatus is one of the most important mosquito species in North America due to its status as a vector of arboviruses such as West Nile virus and its often close association with agricultural activities. A better understanding of the physiological attributes of these mosquitoes is critical for prediction of population increases and increased virus transmission. In this study, conducted in association with Sandra A. Allan at CMAVE, the effects of body size, blood meal size and age of mosquitoes on reproductive output was determined. Each of these factors affected egg production. This is the first discovery of an interaction between adult mosquito body size and age predicted fecundity and this provides an important factor that can be used in modeling mosquito populations and disease risk.