Development, longevity, gonotrophic cycle and oviposition of Aedes albopictus skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) under cyclic temperatures

Abstract

The effects of cyclic temperatures on Aedes albopictus Skuse development, longevity, gonotrophic cycle and the number of oviposited eggs were assessed by means of laboratory experiments. The experiments were carried out with mosquitoes from Registro, São Paulo, Brazil, kept in insectary for two years. The development of the insect was followed from egg to adult emergence under 25/18°C and 27/20°C and adult stage under 27/20°C, both associated with LD 12:12h. The eggs received two treatments: (A) maintenance of water volume; (B) periodical and complete change of water. Blood meal was offered daily and it was interrupted after haematophagy and restarted after first oviposition. The immature development was significantly different under the temperature regimes (P < 0.05) and the increased temperatures positively affected the development speed. The combination of higher temperatures regime and periodical and complete change of water increased the eggs viability and shortened the incubation time. Adult longevity was not different between males and females and the mortality was regular through the time. Comparing the mosquito longevity under constant and cyclic temperatures, it is suggested that the lowest temperature of the cyclic regime is a limiting factor for mosquito survival. This fact may limit the A. albopictus distribution range to areas where the minimal temperatures are not much bellow 20°C.