1981and 1998(Teixeira et al. 1999, after decades of absence (Schatzmayr 2000). The ovipositing habit of this mosquito is still little understood. In the case of Brazil, the few studies on the ovipositing behaviour of this insect were conducted on a population that has already been eradicated, and the current population may be of a different origin, thus not presenting the same behaviour as observed previously. Variations have been observed in terms of life span and the number of eggs produced by females of 13 different populations of A. aegypti from Africa, Asia and America (Crovello & Hacker 1972). The site chosen for laying eggs at the breeding sites is of great importance for the biology of the mosquito. Most eggs have been found to be laid above the water line and only a few eggs are laid on the water surface (Young 1922, Goma 1964, Chadee et al. 1995 and the choice of oviposition site is genetically controled (Schoenig 1968).Oviposition occurs on the water surface when the surface of the container does not enable the adherence of the female tarsi during oviposition (Christophers 1960). A study conducted in Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil) showed that non-submersed eggs did not hatch, in contrast to those on the water surface that were submersed (Young 1922). The habit to lay eggs on the water surface, as well as the occurrence of hatching without submersion has rarely been observed in A. aegypti (Christophers 1960 developed to determine the existence of adult females in the environment (Fay & Perry 1965). Today, this trap is used in several countries to determine infestation rates and to evaluate the efficacy of the control measures adopted (Reiter & Gubler 1997). Variations in the site chosen for oviposition have been observed within the species. In a study conducted in Australia, most eggs were found to be laid on the water surface instead of a porous and humid surface (O'Gower1957, 1963. However, these studies did not take in consideration the physiological age of the females. Observations made at two locations in Brazil on A. aegypti breeding sites in residences with plant-containing vases (unpublished data) showed a large number of eggs on the water surface, the magnitude for these variations are not clear in Brazilian A. aegypti.The objectives of the present investigation were to study the oviposition behaviour of two mosquito populations in three different types of breeding sites, two of them commonly found in residences, at two different humidity levels, to determine the influence of female density on this behaviour and to evaluate the hatching response of eggs on the water surface. MATERIALS AND METHODSMosquito population and laboratory rearing -The laboratory populations were formed from eggs and larvae collected at 30 residences in each of two cities (Botucatu, 22º53'9"S 48º26'42"W and Lins, 21º40'43"S 49º44'33"W) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, respectively called B and L. The eggs and larvae obtained from ovitraps and potted plants were maintained in the laboratory at 25 o C, at a photoperiod o...
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