Physiological characteristics of Culex pipiens populations in the Middle East

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Abstract
We determined whether exposure to a short day-light regime of 14 h 15 min induces ovarian diapause in Culex pipiens L. mosquitoes from Israel and whether differences occur in certain morphological, physiological and behavioral traits. Samples from nineteen localities in Israel, from 33.degree.05''N to 29.degree.35''N latitude, conformed to the morphological criteria of Cx. pipiens, sensu stricto (i.e. wider spread of dorsal than of ventral arms of the aedeagus) as determined by negative DV/D ratios of the male. Autogenous females occurred at frequencies of 4-55% in all areas of Israel throughout the breeding season. No mating barriers were detected between individuals of autogenous and anautogenous genotypes. Autogenous females were no more prevalent from polluted or enclosed breeding sites than from others with various degrees of openness. In general, Cx. pipiens females fed equally well on human (35% engorgement) and avian (22% engorgement) hosts (P < 0.01). Although females from the southern part of the study region appeared to be incapable of ovarian diapause, at least some of those from the north experienced diel-mediated diapause. We conclude that, in the Middle East, the 33rd parallel provides a southern limit to the range of Cx.pipiens with the capability for diel-mediated ovarian diapause, but that non-diapausing Cx. pipiens s.l. are present at least as far south as Elat (20.degree.25'' N) on the coast of the Gulf of Aquaba.

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