Scanning electron microscopy of eggs of Georgecraigius fluviatilis (Lutz) (Diptera: Culicidae, Aedini).

Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to describe the eggs of Georgecraigius fluviatilis (Lutz). Length is 722.8±39.6 µm and width is 177.1±9.8 µm. Diameter of the micropylar disk, surrounded by an irregular flattened collar, is 28 µm. The outer chorionic sculpture consists of cells of irregular shapes, containing tubercles with pitted surface. In the ventral region, tubercles of several diameters are irregularly distributed in chorionic cells, while in the dorsal region one larger tubercle is surrounded by several smaller ones. The eggs appear to lack structures for adhesion, certainly unnecessary due to the habit of laying eggs separately on water surfaces.

Scanning electron microscopy of eggs of Sabethes cyaneus.

Mosquitoes of the Neotropical genus Sabethes, some species of which are yellow fever vectors, most often develop through the immature stages in tree holes. Sabethes eggs have not been previously characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Eggs of Sabethes cyaneus (length: 349.6 +/- 2.7 microm; width: 172.6 +/- 1.14 microm; n = 10) are almost biconical when examined from the top. From a lateral perspective 2 surfaces can be seen. One surface is smooth and more convex, whereas the other is less convex and partially covered by a network from which many fungiform tubercles arise. The micropyle is situated on the smooth surface of the pointed anterior tip and is surrounded by an irregular row of tubercles, some of which are leaf shaped. No structures possibly involved in adhesion to surfaces are visible. When hatching, the egg splits dorsoventrally approximately two-thirds of the length from the anterior end. The tubercles appear to be water repellent, and the more convex/smoother surface is downturned, and this position on water was confirmed by direct observation. The eggs float free on the water surface.

Scanning electron microscopy of the eggs of Aedes scapularis from southern South America.

The eggs of Aedes scapularis analyzed by scanning electron microscopy are black and elliptical in outline, measuring approximately 620.4 +/- 16.74 microm long and 163.7 +/- 16.90 microm (n = 10) wide, with an egg index (length/width ratio) of 3.79. The anterior extremity tapered abruptly from a width of 51.6 microm, while such tapering was more gradual at the posterior extremity, from a width of 61.4 microm. The ventral surface of the chorionic coating presented cells with a tubular aspect containing tubercles in rows at a density of 5 to 9 per cell with 2 different sizes, the largest measuring 7.23 +/- 0.98 microm in a longitudinal diameter and the smallest 4.15 +/- 0.53 microm (n = 30). In the dorsal region, the external chorionic reticulum had a porous appearance, and its thickness ranged from 2.5 to 4.1 microm. Isolated tubercles presented wide variation per cell. In the central region of some chorionic cells were tubercles of greater diameter, characterized as central tubercles of 8.45 +/- 0.67 microm, and around them 3 to 5 smaller tubercles measuring 2.57 +/- 0.26 microm. The micropylar apparatus presented a collar with a very evident molding and edges with defined margins for the transition area and a thickness of around 11.1 microm. The micropyle disc margins were raised, measuring around 17.8 microm in diameter and 229 microm in circumference. The micropyle orifice was very evident, with a diameter of 1.41 microm.

Scanning electron microscopy of the egg of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae).

Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a mosquito species of medical and veterinary importance, usually associated with temporary groundwater habitats. Eggs obtained from females collected in Córdoba city, in the center of Argentina, were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The eggs are elliptical in outline, measuring approximately 615.7 +/- 37.24 microm in length (1) and 180.7 +/- 22.87 microm in width (w), with an egg index (l/w ratio) of 2.9-3.7. The outer chorionic sculpture has racquet-shaped and wristwatch-shaped cells consisting of a small central tubercle surrounded by larger tubercles and followed by a row of smaller tubercles on one or both sides, respectively, although variations between regions of the egg were observed. The micropylar apparatus has a collar with evident molding and edges of determined length, albeit irregular, with defined margins for the transition area and a thickness of approximately 10.7 microm. The margins of the micropylar disc are raised and the disc measures approximately 21.1 microm in diameter. The micropyle is distinct.