A Comparative Study of Growth and Development in Florida Mosquitoes1: Part 2: Effects of larval nurture on adult characteristics at emergence

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Abstract
Adults of 11 species of Florida mosquitoes were analyzed for size, dry weights and energy reserves at emergence. The specimens were obtained from larvae reared under variations of 3 different environmental conditions —quantity of food, density of larvae and salinity of the medium at 27°C under LD 12 : 12. Comparisons were made of adults which represented minimum and maximum measurable adult characteristics, with the precondition that the factors which controlled these characteristics did not inordinately delay the onset of pupation beyond the minimum onset at 27°C. In general, minimal expressions of adult characteristics in all the species investigated were brought about by rearing larvae on a low quantity of food (basic ration), or in low salinity (1/20 or 1/10 dilution of sea water), or under crowded conditions (200 larvae/pan), singly and/or in combination; whereas maximum expressions were brought about by rearing larvae on high quantities of food (2 × or 4 × basic ration), or in varying salinities (1/20 to 1/2 dilution of sea water), or with lower larval density (75 larvae/pan), singly and/or in combination. The plasticity in adult characteristics did not correspond strictly with the growth variability indexes in all the species investigated. The relationship between energy reserves and the environmental adaptation of each of the species is considered.

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