effects of lobarotory Hepatozoon gracilis infection on the fecundity, mortality and longevity of Culex [Culex] pipiens hinneans [Diptera: Culicidae] in Egypt

Laboratory observations on the effect of Hepatozoon gracilis on the egg production of the mosquito Cx. [Cx.] pipiens Linnaeus under laboratory conditions revealed that H. Gracilis infected mosquitos produced significantly fewer eggs than the uninfected ones. The egg production decreased as the parasite burdens increased. The reduction in blood meal size in infected females did not reduce fecundity. No size difference was detected between oocyst-infected and uninfected females, although sporozoite positive females were significantly large. The preoviposition period was significantly affected, while the incubation period and percentage of egg hatching showed no significant changes. The longevity of female infected mosquitos decreased insignificantly than in the uninfected ones