Genetics of Hematophagy and Autogeny in the Aedes Scutellaris Complex (Diptera: Culicidae)1

Abstract

Crosses and backcrosses between anautogenous Aedes (Stg.) polynesiensis and fully autogenous Aedes sp. (Tafahi) revealed that autogeny and hematophagy in these members of the Aedes scutellaris complex of mosquitoes are controlled by a polygenic system. The offspring which resulted from the parental crosses and backcrosses can be classed into 4 physiologically and behaviorally different categories: hematophagous-an autogenous. hematophagous-autogenous, nonhematophagous-autogenous and nonhematophagous-anautogenous. These categories have different theoretical and practical epidemiological significance. The most dangerous as vectors would be the hematophagous autogenous females. Survival of such populations in absence of hosts would be secured by autogeny. Their readiness to feed on man and their ability to support development of Wuchereria bancrofti make them good vectors of human subperiodic filariasis. The nutritional level of the larval stages of the autogenous species has a significant effect on both penetrance and expressivity of autogeny in the parental stock and all possible crosses.