Autor(es): Farjana, Thahsin; Tuno, Nobuko

Resumo: Multiple blood feeding (MBF) in a gonotrophic cycle in vector mosquitoes influences pathogen transmission by increasing host-vector contact. Multiple blood meals can be caused by malnutrition in the larval stage, a harsh environment in the adult stage, or interrupted feeding due to host defense. We focused on the effect of body size on MBF in two vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse), in the laboratory, using small and large adults of both species. Most females (94.3% of Ae. aegypti and 88.2% of Ae. albopictus) oviposited with the first blood meal. There was no relationship between body size and MBF proportion in either species. However, there was a negative relationship between body size and egg retention ratio in Ae. albopictus ovaries and between body size and the ratio of immature follicles in both species. Small Ae. albopictus laid some eggs but retained the rest in their ovaries, as did 5.3% of Ae. aegypti. Large Ae. albopictus developed 68.4-81.7% of follicles, whereas, small ones developed about 50%. Large Ae. aegypti developed 98.0-99.8% of follicles, whereas small females developed only 83.5-88.4%. These results suggest that oviposition was incomplete in small females with low energy reserves, and that females emerging under subpar-diet conditions may perform MBF to improve fecundity.

Palavras-Chave: Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Body size, Multiple blood feeding

Imprenta: Medical Entomology and Zoology, v. 63, n. 2, p. 123-131, 2012

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.7601/mez.63.123

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Public health

Data de publicação: 2012

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