Factors Affecting Egg Production of Laboratory-Bred Lutzomyia Longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae)1

Abstract

Laboratory-bred Lutzomyia longipalpis showed no appreciable autogeny; usually, oocyte maturation was concomitant with the digestion of a meal containing proteins or amino acids. The size and composition of the meal were the principal factors affecting egg production. There was a positive, linear association between the number of oocytes matured and the size (weight) of the meal, the latter being a measure of the amount of protein ingested and not important per se. Mammalian bloods differed in their abilities to promote oocyte maturation. In one case (hamster compared with human blood), this was attributed to differences in red cell contents. A deficiency of L-isoleucine in human red cells was not implicated. The physiological condition of the Aies played a lesser role in determining egg production. Allowing for meal size, heavy or sugar-fed females matured significantly more oocytes than lighter or sugar-starved ones, but mating had no effect on egg production.