Temperature-Dependent Development and Survival Rates of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Development, growth, and survival of Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti (L.) were determined at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, 30, 34°C). The Sharpe & DeMichele four-parameter model with high-temperature inhibition described the temperature-dependent median developmental rates of both mosquito species. In both species, body size generally decreased as temperature increased. Head capsule widths in all instars in both species were significantly greater at 15 than at 30–34°C. Except for the third instar of Ae. aegypti , the larval body lengths in both species were significantly greater at 15 than at 34°C. All instars and pupae of both species and the adults in Cx. quinquefasciatus were significantly heavier at 15 than at 27–34°C. In Cx. quinquefasciatus , survival from eclosion to adult emergence was highest in the range from 20 to 30°C (85–90%) and dropped drastically at 15 (38%) and 34°C (42%). In Ae. aegypti , survival to adult stage was high at 20 (92%) and 27°C (90%) and lowest at 15°C (3%).