The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the flight performance of female Aedes aegypti

Abstract

The influence of temperature and r.h. on the flight performance of tethered virgin female Aedes aegypti was investigated. Mosquitoes of similar age were flown to exhaustion on flight mills at various temperatures and relative humidities. Parameters measured were distance flown, duration of flight, speed of flight, initial weight of mosquitoes, and live weight lost during exhaustive flight. The temperature range at which sustained tethered flight occurred was 15 to 32°C. Temperature extremes at which flight was possible were 10 and 35°C; however, performance was minimal in both duration and distance at these temperatures. The optimal temperature for flight was 21°C. Mosquitoes flew farther at 15°C than at the commonly reported optimal temperature of 27°C. In general, flight performance was greater below 27°C. Relative humidity within 30 to 90 per cent had no demonstrable influence on flight performance at any temperature studied except at 32°C, where 30 per cent had a marked limiting effect on mosquito flight.