Rapid Incorporation of Wild Genotypes of Culex nigripalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) into Laboratory-Adapted Strains1

Abstract

Laboratory mating activities were analyzed in wild and colonized forms of Culex nigripalpus Theobald. Mating experiments utilizing colony females produced insemination levels of about 75% whereas in those experiments involving wild females the insemination rates were less than 2%. Mating success was independent of the type of male used in each cross. Wild genetic material was rapidly incorporated into colony strains via wild males crossed to colony females. This method was used to establish a laboratory marker strain which contains the mutant form, orange fat color.