EGGS OF AEDES VIGILAX (SKUSE) AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION ON PLANTS AND SOIL IN SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND SALTMARSH

Abstract

Abstract On saltmarshes ca 50 km south of Brisbane, Aedes vigilax eggs and egg shells were recovered from marine couch Sporobolus virginicus var. minor, samphire Sarcocornia quinqueflora, seablite Sueda australis and from the pneumatophores of the grey mangrove Avicennia marina var. australasica using a sieving flotation method of 85 ± 8% efficacy. Greatest numbers of both viable and hatched eggs were recovered from marine couch plants (41–50% from these samples) and their sods. On Sporobolus, 92% of the eggs were oviposited from 0–4 cm from the base of the plant. Because of its wide extent and its attractiveness, marine couch would seem to be the major oviposition site at which control attempts could be focused. Scanning electron micrographs and a description of the egg are provided. Copyright © 1986, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved