Learning and memory in the mosquito Aedes aegypti shown by conditioning against oviposition deterrence
Autor(es): Kaur, JS; Lai, YL; Giger, AD
Resumo: Oviposition site choice by female mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L) (Diptera: Culicidae), was affected by rearing them in water treated with 0.016% of the repellent Mozaway(TM) containing citronella and neem. Given a choice between a bowl of repellent-treated and a bowl of untreated water, Ae. aegypti reared in untreated water strongly preferred to oviposit on the clean water (93-98%) instead of repellent-treated water. This demonstrates effective deterrence of oviposition by dilute Mozaway(TM). Those reared in repellent-treated water were less deterred: 38-46% of their eggs were laid on the repellent-treated water and 54-62% on the clean water. Evidently the female mosquitoes reared in repellent-treated water were conditioned against oviposition site deterrence, as shown when choice tests were conducted 6 days post-emergence from the treated water. This demonstrates learning and memory in the mosquito Ae. aegypti, with implications for dengue vector surveillance and control.
Palavras-Chave: Aedes Aegypti; Citronella; Conditioning; Dengue; Deterrence; Insect Repellent; Learning; Memory; Mosquito Behaviour; Neem; Oviposition Site Choice; Ovitrap; Vector Control; Vector Surveillance
Imprenta: Medical and Veterinary Entomology, v. 17, n. 4, p. 457-460, 2003
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.2003.00455.x
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Repellent ; Aedes aegypti - Public health
Data de publicação: 2003
