Larval Development and Autogeny in Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus (Thomson) (Diptera: Culicidae) from Southern Victoria

摘要

Larval development and autogeny was examined in the mosquito Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus (Thomson) from southern Victoria. Larvae of Oc. camptorhynchus were reared in the laboratory at 5 constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35℃) and three constant salinities (0, 18 and 36 ppK). Of the five temperatures, survival ranged from 35.6% at 35℃ to 84.4% at 20℃, and development times ranged from 12.1 to 37.1 days at 35℃ and 15℃ respectively. The minimum threshold temperature for development was 7.3℃, and the thermal constant was 324.0 ± 12.8 SE degree-days. No differences in development times or survival were detected for the three salinities. Adult mosquitoes reared from field-collected pupae and larvae reared on a high-nutrition diet displayed no autogenous egg development. A positive relationship was found between adult body size (wing length) and fecundity in blood-fed adults, with fecundity ranging from 40 to 112 eggs per female.