FUNCTIONS OF THE MALE ACCESSORY GLAND SECRETIONS OF AEDES MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE): TRANSPLANTATION STUDIES

Abstract

In Aedes aegypti, the ’matrone’ substance which caused mating inhibition and stimulated oviposition in females, was present in the anterior secretory region of the male accessory glands. In the divided accessory glands of male A. triseriatus, however, it was present in the posterior glands. The posterior gland substance in A. triseriatus was not species specific. It stimulated oviposition in A. aegypti and caused mating inhibition in A. atropalpus. The secretory substance of the posteriormost region in the glands of both species of mosquitoes was mucin in nature. This mucin substance effectively glued the secretory granules of the anterior region(s).