The Influence of Carbohydrate-Feeding and Insemination on Oviposition of an Indiana Strain of Aedes Vexans (Diptera: Culicidae)1

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Abstract
The oviposition behavior of an Indiana strain of Aedes vexans (Meigen) was studied in relation to the effects rarbohydrate-feeding and insemination. Oviposition of inseminated and virgin Ae. vexans was compared at 2 levels of availability of a 10% sucrose solution. Both insemination and frequency of carbohydrate-feeding markedly influenced oviposition, as measured by several parameters. Inseminated females oviposited on 4 or 5 different days during the first 17 after a single human blood meal, whereas virgins averaged only 3 ovipositions. Virgins commenced oviposition 1–2 days later than inseminated females. Carbohydrate-starved females deposited about 49 eggs per oviposition. Females allowed to ingest sucrose during the gonotrophic cycle deposited approximately 22 eggs per oviposition. When sucrose was continuously available, virgins and inseminated females deposited 35% and 61%, respectively, of the eggs developed. Carbohydrate-starved mosquitoes laid 87–90% of their eggs regardless of mating condition. The effects of sucrose ingestion and insemination were also reflected in the proportion of females failing to oviposit. Ingestion of a honey solution inhibited oviposition in a manner similar to that of sucrose. Virginity and ingestion of carbohydrate enhanced survival of Ae. vexans , but carbohydrate diet and insemination had no influence on the number of eggs developed by the females.