Phenology of trophic amd gonobiologic states in Culiseta morsitans and Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae).

Abstract

Specimens of Culiseta morsitans and Culiseta melanura were collected daily from emergence traps and diurnal resting shelters, and populations were evaluated for meconium, fertility, blood feeding, egg stage, parity, sugar feeding, survival rates, and vectorial capacity. Although male Cs. morsitans emerged 8–11 days before females, both sexes dispersed to the uplands within 2 days after emergence. On the average, females mated at 23 days, ingested blood at 39 days, and completed the 1st ovarian cycle at 50 days. The corresponding survival rates for these 3 events were 32.0, 18.9, and 13.9%, respectively. The average daily survival rate was 0.96 and the longevity factor was 0.704 to 0.913. Culiseta melanura males emerged 5 days before females but remained in the swamp until the females emerged. Mating occurred in the first 4 days of female adult life, and blood feeding followed within the next few days; oviposition was completed by day 12. Corresponding survival rates were 49.6, 26.6, and 20.8%. The average daily survival rate was estimated at 0.89 and the longevity factor at 0.265 to 0.594. Males and females of both species ingest sugars on 7–19-day cycles.