Suppression of Male Characteristics of Mosquitoes by Thermal Means

Abstract

Dimorphism in Aedes stimulans, a northern floodwater mosquito, may be decreased possibly to obliteration by exposing larvae for most of their lives to abnormally high temperature. Determiners for maleness fail to express themselves when larvae are exposed to a temperature of 29°C throughout their lives. Not only are male characteristics eliminated, but normal female ones such as ovaries, spermathecae, and cerci develop. The resultant adult is structurally a female. Forms showing characteristics of both sexes occur when the number of days of exposure to 29°C is lessened.