Abstract
Larval instars and pupae of Aedes aegypti (L.) were subjected to direct-current electrical fields of 0.1–13.44 V per centimeter and 0.0106–1.06 mA per square centimeter. In general, when field strengths reached a certain level more larvae were attracted to the cathode than to the anode. As field strengths were increased, this reaction was reversed and then as they were further increased the cathode again exerted the greater attraction. Maximum numbers attracted to either anode in 20 min were first instar 80%, second instar 62%, third instar 86%, fourth instar 72%, and pupae 82%. No explanation can be given for the changes in polarity of attraction and it has no counterpart in other work recording the behavior of aquatic organisms (mainly fish) in electrical fields, in which attraction was always to the anode. Change of effect caused by increasing the current while holding voltage constant was found to be due to the larvae absorbing NaCl via the anal gills and thus changing their resistance. At the higher field strengths some paralysis was caused, varying from temporary to lethal.
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