Studies on the Comparative Oviposition Behavior of Aedes (Stegomyia) Albopictus and Aedes (Stegomyia) Polynesiensis Marks1

Abstract

Comparative studies on the oviposition behavior of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus and A.(S.) polynesiensis were initiated to determine whether these 2 species would select the same breeding sites and, therefore, whether co-habitation of the larval habitats would occur. The oviposition behavior was found to be nearly identical in that both species selected the same types of water containers, and preferred alkaline waters with low illumination and dark color. High concentrations of ammonia and protein solutions were repellent, whereas infusions were most attractive at high concentrations. However, A. polynesiensis females preferred grass over leaf infusion, whereas the reverse was true for A. albopictus. The presence of larvae and pupae in the breeding waters had no effect on the ovipositing females. However, it appeared that some oviposition attractant was liberated into the breeding waters by female A. albopictus; even A. polynesimsis females preferred waters contaminated by the previous presence of eggs of A. albopictus rather than of A. polynesiensis. While gravid females of both species apparently utilize sight, smell and contact chemoreception in choosing breeding waters, A. albopictus responded positively to water colored to mimic a leaf or grass infusion to a greater extent than A. polynesiensis did.