Factors Influencing Oviposition in \u3ci\u3eAedes Triseriatus\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera: Culicidae)

Five factors associated with natural oviposition sites were tested for their attractancy to ovipositing Aedes triseriatus, including dyed oviposition water, presence of decaying organic matter, a dark oviposition container, water in which conspecific larvae have been reared to the 4th instar and the presence of eggs on the balsa wood oviposition substrate. A replicated fractional factorial design was used to examine the effects of the above factors on oviposition behavior in laboratory experiments. Regression analysis showed dyed oviposition water and eggs on the oviposition substrate to be statistically significant attractants for ovipositing A. triseriatus females. The attraction to dyed oviposition water indicated that dyed water in oviposition traps may greatly increase their competiveness with naturally occurring oviposition sites

Oviposition by the Banded Sunflower Moth, \u3ci\u3eCochylis Hospes\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae) in Response to \u3ci\u3eHelianthus Annuus\u3c/i\u3e Pollen

Oviposition on an artificial substrate by the banded sunflower moth Cochylis hospes Walsingham was examined in response to sunflower pollen (Helianthus annuus) and sunflower pollen extract. Sunflower pollen in quantities as small as 0.2 mg significantly reduced oviposition on an artificial substrate relative to a control without pollen. Aqueous pollen extract applied to the artificial substrate significantly reduced oviposition with respect to the control substrate that was treated with solvent. Banded sunflower moths have gained some reproductive or competitive advantage by ovipositing on the bracts of sunflower and a deterrent effect of pollen could, at least in part, have had functional significance in the development of a behavioral preference for the bracts of the sunflower head as an oviposition site

Honeylocust Twig-gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Michigan

Emergence and oviposition data were gathered for Neolasioptera brevis, a recently described pest of honeylocust. In 1984 the insects first emerged on 21 May and first oviposited on 4 June; in 1985 they first emerged on 28 April and first oviposited between 5-20 May. Average raceme length at emergence and at oviposition were 2.7 and 4.4 cm in 1984 and 2.6 and 4.8 cm in 1985. Approximate duration of the emergence period was one week. In 1985 observed oviposition wounds averaged 0.5/cm

Diurnal Oviposition of Blow Flies in Different Aged Carrion

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the first insects to oviposit (lay eggs) on carrion. The timing of blow fly oviposition is critical for determining a postmortem interval (PMI) estimation, which is the time that has passed between death and corpse discovery. The objective of this investigation is to gain more information about the timing of blow fly oviposition in relation to sunrise. Past research in our lab has shown that blow fly oviposition occurs an average of 4.75 hours after sunrise. This year’s research expanded on previous studies by placing six piglets of different ages, in a remote, wooded area one hour after sunrise. To see if there was a difference in the timing of oviposition related to the age of the carrion, three of the piglets had been thawed for 15 hours (new pigs), and the other three had been thawed for approximately 55 hours (old pigs). The piglets were checked once an hour until oviposition occurred, and it was recorded whether flies and eggs were present each hour. Egg masses were collected and reared to the third larval instar stage for identification using taxonomic keys. The timing of oviposition, in hours after sunrise, was compared between treatments and there was no significant difference found (P=.441). The research was repeated five times in the fall of 2017. The most common flies found ovipositing were Diptera: Calliphoridae, Phormia regina (Meigen) and Diptera: Calliphoridae, Lucilia coeruleiviridis (Macquart). This research has importance in both the scientific and forensic communities, as a more accurate PMI can strengthen the validity of a forensic investigation

EVIDENCE OF COMMUNAL OVIPOSITION AND NEST ABANDONMENT IN THE NORTHERN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER (EURYCEA BISLINEATA, (GREEN, 1818)) IN NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT

Most plethodontid salamanders oviposit their eggs in an individual nest and attend the clutch until hatching. Here, we describe aspects of the reproduction of Eurycea bislineata (Northern Two-lined Salamander) from three field sites in northeastern Connecticut that contrast with the typical plethodontid reproductive behavior. Rocks used as oviposition sites contained up to 296 eggs, with an average of more than 100. These numbers exceed the maximum ovarian egg counts for this species, indicating that communal oviposition is common. The lack of correlation between rock size and number of eggs, as well as the lack of discrete clutches when eggs are laid in large clusters, suggests that communal oviposition may be caused by something other than nest site limitation. Additionally, the rate of maternal attendance at nests was low. Thus, communal oviposition with high rates of nest abandonment is the dominant reproductive strategy in E. bislineata at these sites

Oviposition in the blood-sucking insect Rhodnius prolixus is modulated by host odors

Background: Triatomine bugs are blood-sucking insects, vectors of Chagas disease. Despite their importance, their oviposition behavior has received relatively little attention. Some triatomines including Rhodnius prolixus stick their eggs to a substrate. It is known that mechanical cues stimulate oviposition in this species. However, it is not clear if chemical signals play a role in this behavior. We studied the role of host cues, including host odor, in the oviposition behavior of the triatomine R. prolixus. Methods: Tests were carried out in an experimental arena and stimuli consisted of a mouse or hen feathers. The number of eggs laid and the position of those eggs with respect to the stimulus source were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Both a mouse and hen feathers stimulated oviposition. In addition, hen feathers evoked a particular spatial distribution of eggs that was not observed in the case of mouse. Conclusions: We propose that volatile chemical cues from the host play a role in the oviposition behavior of triatomines that stick their eggs. Thus, host odor would stimulate and spatially guide oviposition.Fil: Guidobaldi, Fabio. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; ArgentinaFil: Guerenstein, Pablo Gustavo. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentin

Color, Bacteria, and Mosquito Eggs as Ovipositional Attractants for \u3ci\u3eAedes Aegypti\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eAedes Albopictus\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera: Culicidae)

Selected bacterial washes, color, and mosquito eggs were comparatively examined as ovipositional attractants for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Any evidence of additive activity was noted. All colored washes alone were preferred over selected bacterial washes. The combinations of color and bacteria in a single wash were better attractants for oviposition than colored washes alone. The bacterial content of the breeding water was a more important factor than egg presence in oviposition site selection

Bacteria as Ovipositional Attractants for \u3ci\u3eAedes Aegypti\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effectiveness of selected bacterial species as ovipositional attractants for Aedes aegypti was compared. Bacterial washes, in glass containers, were utilized as ovipositional substrates and subsequent egg counts determined the degree of ovipositional attractiveness. Among others, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were noted as being effective attractants. It was concluded that A. aegypti displays discriminatory behavior in selecting individual bacterial species for oviposition

Influence of blood meal on the responsiveness of olfactory receptor neurons in antennal sensilla trichodea of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

In female Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes, a blood meal induces physiological and behavioral changes. Previous studies have shown that olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in grooved peg sensilla on the antennae of Ae. aegypti down-regulate their sensitivity to lactic acid, a key component driving host-seeking behavior, which correlates with observed changes in the host-seeking behavior of this species. In the present study, we performed electrophysiological recordings from the most abundant antennal sensillum type, sensilla trichodea. Our results indicate that the response spectra of ORNs contained within most trichoid sensilla do not change in response to blood feeding. However, we observe an increase in sensitivity to primarily indole and phenolic compounds in neurons housed within four of the five functional types of short blunt tipped II trichoid sensilla, both at 24 and 72 h post-blood feeding, which was more pronounced at 24 h than 72 h. Furthermore, sensitivity to undecanone, acetic acid and propionic acid was observed to increase 72 h post-blood meal. Considering the timing of these changes, we believe that these neurons may be involved in driving the orientation behavior of female mosquitoes to oviposition sites, which are known to release these compounds

Pupal and Adult Parameters as Potential Indicators of Cottonwood Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Fecundity and Longevity

Cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta, pupae from a laboratory colony were weighed and monitored through adult emergence, oviposition, and mortality to determine if correlations existed between various pupal or adult parameters and fecundity or longevity. Forty-three female cottonwood leaf beetles were monitored. Pupal weight was not a good indicator of fecundity, total oviposition events, number of eggs/beetle/day, or adult longevity. In addition, adult weight showed very low correlation with fecundity, adult longevity, total oviposition events, or number of eggs/beetle/day. However, adult weight was a marginal indicator of the number of eggs/beetle/day, and correlated well with adult body length. Adult longevity could be used to predict fecundity