Physiology Of Feeding And Oviposition Behavior In Aedes Aegypti (L.): Experimental Dissociation of Feeding and Oogenesis

Abstract

Female Aedes Aegypti, either mated or virgin, can complete 2 gonotrophic cycles while being denied access to an oviposition site and forced to retain their eggs. The 3rd gonotrophic cycle is not initiated, however, in the presence of the mature eggs retained in the ovaries. This experimentally-induced “gonotrophic dissociation” occurs even though ♀♀ ingest blood meals of near-normal size, and the ovaries are potentially capable of producing additional eggs.