The Formation of the Peritrophic Membrane in Adult Aedes Triseriatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae)1

Abstract

The formation of the peritrophic membrane (PM) and aspects of the histology of the midgut are described from serial paraffin sections and dissections. A chitinous PM forms around a blood meal within 20 min. after ingestion. During the first 6 hr following feeding, PM formed in the anterior midgut is moved posteriorly and forms a wrinkled plug at the anterior end of the blood bolus. A possible function of this plug of PM is suggested. A remnant of the pupal meconium persists into the adult stage in the posterior midgut and appears in the blood bolus of most blood-fed specimens.