Swarming and Mating Behavior in Laboratory Colonies of Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae)1

Abstract

Swarming and mating behavior were studied in a laboratory colony of Aedes triseriatus (Say). Swarming occurred only in the evening. The origin of a swarm can be detected by the flight characteristics of a single male. The configuration of a swarm is influenced by the size of the male population. Mating occurred only when males swarmed. The sequence of events in mating is described from the time of first contact to the final copulating position. The relationship of age to swaiming and mating is described.