NUTRITION AND OVERCROWDING EFFECTS ON LARVAL DEVELOPMENT AND FECUNDITY OF FEMALE AEDES ALBOPICTUS (SKUSE)

Abstract

-Two studies were conducted to determine the effect of nutrition and overcrowding on larval growth and fecundity of the female Aedes albopictus. In the first study, different larval densities (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 larvae) were tested with optimal and sub-optimal amounts of larval food under laboratory conditions. In the second study, the effect of nutrition and overcrowding at larval stage on the fecundity of female Ae. albopictus mosquitoes was observed. Results showed that larval growth of sub-optimally fed larvae, especially those from higher density, was significantly affected. Furthermore, the fecundity of female Ae. albopictus was found to be greatly affected by nutrition and overcrowding. Overall, nutrition and overcrowding resulted in increase of larval development time, increase in larval mortality and reduced fecundity of female mosquitoes.