Age Structure, Population Dynamics and Vector Potential of Phlebotomus in Northern California

Abstract

Of all internal organs examined for distinguishing parous from nulliparous ♀ ♀ of laboratory-reared Phlebotomus califoniicus, P. stewarti and P. vexator occidentis, the accessory glands proved the most reliable and practical structures. The appearance of granules in these glands was an unmistakable sign of a parous ♀. Only 3% of 300 blood-fed ♀ ♀ had no granules in their accessory glands after oviposition. The rare mistaking of a parous specimen for a nullipar was the only error inherent in this technique, for accessory gland granules were not present in 150 nulliparous ♀ ♀ examined. All 3 species were anautogenous and exhibited gonotrophic concordance.