ABSTRACT
Successful colonization of Mansonia dives, the principal vector of subperiodic Brugia malayi was established in a field insectary. Mean egg clusters laid on Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Homalomena cordata and polystyrofoam strips were 12.0, 10.4, 9.5 and 13.7 respectively. However, the mean number of first instar larvae hatched from each egg cluster laid by females on the three plant substrates (range 51.1 to 58.6) was higher than that laid on the polystyrofoam strips (41.8). There were no significant differences in the success pupation and adult emergence rates among the three host plants used as attachment substrates. Adult emergence occurred at a mean of 10.8 days. The first adult emergence was observed at the 25th day after hatching and continued till the 50th day. The 50% mortality rates for the adults were estimated as 8 days for the males and 14 days for the females. The mean gonotrophic cycle ranged from 3.8 to 4.3 days with a mean of 4.04 days. 63.6% of Ma. dives females oviposited in a medium of rat dung and water. The mean incubation period of eggs ranged from 5.2 to 6.5 days with a mean of 5.7 days. The biology of Ma. dives and Ma. bonneae is briefly compared.
Subject(s)
Analysis of Variance , Animals , Breeding/methods , Brugia , Culicidae/growth & development , Elephantiasis, Filarial/transmission , Female , Insect Vectors/growth & development , Larva , Malaysia , Male , Oviposition , Parasite Egg Count , Plants , PupaABSTRACT
A revolutionary, autocidal ovitrap has been developed as a promising weapon for the control and possible eradication of Ae, aegypti, the principal vector of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), in urban high DHF endemic areas. A study carried out with this trap in a highly endemic area for DHF in Singapore city, namely the Rochor area, has shown this trap to be superior to all other domestic habitats in attractiveness to ovipositing Ae. aegypti females.