Download or read book Comparitive [sic] Behavioral Analysis of Oviposition Behavior in Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes and the Impact of Pathogen Infection on Oviposition Behavior written by Catherine M. Zettel Nalen and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dual-choice oviposition bioassays were conducted using three mosquito species and three associated pathogens: Ae. aegypti and Edhazardia aedis Kudo, Ae. albopictus and Vavraia culicis floridensis (Weiser), and Cx. quinquefasciatus and CuniNPV. Gravid females were given a choice between an oviposition cup containing water and 10 healthy larvae versus water and 10 pathogen-infected larvae. Aedes aegypti oviposited significantly more eggs in the oviposition cup containing 10 healthy larvae. Edhazardia aedis-infected adults also oviposited significantly more often in cups containing 10 healthy larvae. Both Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus did not exhibit any significant preference for either oviposition cup. A detailed oviposition behavior analysis was conducted for four species. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were quite different in their oviposition behavior, but Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. tarsalis were very similar. Both healthy and E. aedis-infected adult Ae. aegypti laid significantly more eggs in substrate containing healthy larvae as opposed to substrate containing uninfected larvae, however Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus showed no preference. By understanding the behavioral steps in oviposition, new strategies for intervention can be developed to break the pathogen transmission cycle and better understand the behavioral changes that come with mosquito parasite or pathogen infection.