Oviposition response of Aedes aegypti (l.) to the presence of conspecific eggs in the field in Trinidad, W.I.

Abstract

The oviposition behaviour of Aedes aegypti L. was monitored in the field using conventional ovitraps containing paddles with and without other conspecifics eggs in St. Joseph, Trinidad, W.1. Females laid significantly more (P< 0.05) eggs in ovitraps containing paddles without eggs (64.6%) than paddles with eggs (36.4%).
Superoviposition was observed in the field, with significantly more (P>0.001) oviposition occurring on paddles bearing less than 25 eggs than others bearing more than 25 eggs. The behavioural sequence leading to egg avoidance and superoviposition is not fully understood. It is suggested that females prefer egg-free substrates but if not available, substrates bearing less than 25 eggs are used in preference to others containing more than 25 eggs. The implications of these results are discussed.

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