Age structure and mating status of the male mosquitoes responding to sound

Abstract

The age structure of male populations responding to sound were studied with five species of age-known, virgin and non-virgin males in the laboratory (Cx. p. molestus, Cx. p. pallens, Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and An. stephensi), and with resting, swarming and sound-trapped males in the nature (Cx. tarsalis, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Ae. melanimon). The age of the field-collected males was determined by counting the daily cuticular layers of the mesothoracic furca. The response to sound was greatest for 2-day-old Cx. p. molestus males and for 3 and 4-day-old males of the other six species. Sound responsiveness of the laboratory males decreased as a function of age and mating experience. The fecundity of male Ae. aegypti, but not Cx. p. molestus, was higher for sound-attracted males than males not attracted to sound.