Effects of attachment substrate, larval diet, and temperature on development and survival of immature Coquillettidia linealis (Skuse) and Coquillettidia xanthogaster (Edwards)

ABSTRACTA sustainable colony allowed investigations into attachment substrates, diet and temperature in the development of the immature stages ofCq. linealis and its local congenerCq. xanthogaster. As immatures, these mosquitoes attach to submerged plants for respiration, and various field ‐collected and laboratory‐raised plants were compared with non‐living substrates. Hydroponically‐grown wheat plant seedlings provided the most suitable attachment substrate. Development and survival of immatures to eclosion were investigated with three types and three quantities of a standar dized diet. Development and survival at rearing temperatures between 10° and 30° C were also investigated. Diet type appeared to have little influence on development. However, at the lowest diet quantity, development to pupation was significantly reduced while the highest diet quantity impacted on the eclosion of pupae. Mean duration of immature development forCq. linealis increased as temperature decreased. Time from 1st instar to median eclosion did not differ significantly between 23 ° C (6.0 weeks) and 25° C (5.3 weeks), although it was 10 weeks at 20° C, and 30° C was lethal. ForCq. xanthogaster, similarly, mean duration of immature development increased as temperature decreased, with development time from 1st instar to median eclosion significantly longer at 20 ° C (7.5 weeks) compared to 23° C (5.0 weeks) and 30° C (4.0 weeks).

Source: Journal of Vector Ecology - May 22, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Petrina H. Johnson, Richard C. Russell Tags: Original Article Source Type: research