Morphometry of eggs and immatures of Culex (Culex) saltanensis Dyar (Diptera, Culicidae) obtained in the laboratory and on the field

Abstract

The objectives of this morphometric study of Culex (Culex) saltanensis Dyar, 1928 larvae were to observe the continuous growth of siphon and cephalic capsule length and width in each instar, and to propose a linear equation to differentiate instars according to the size of both structures. Larvae obtained in laboratory at 27 ± 1ºC, photoperiod 14L:12D were studied. Larvae of the forth instar were collected on the field and compared with same instar larvae reared in the laboratory. Egg size and pigmentation pattern, first instar continuous growth, and differentiation of larval stages measurements were studied. Egg pigmentation patterns and the shapes of raft eggs differentiated specimens of C. saltanensis from Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 found in polluted pond water.

Development of the immature stages of Culex (Culex) saltanensis Dyar (Diptera, Culicidae) under laboratory conditions

“…The hatching rate of C. saltanensis larvae in the laboratory was 97.48% ± 2.32. Camargo et al (1994) found 93% for larvae of C. quinquefasciatus Say, 1823, a species that coexists with C. saltanenis in the natural environment (Zequi & Lopes 2007). Silva et al ( /1994 noted that temperature and humidity directly affect the life cycle of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae) at 12L:12D.…”

“…After stabilization of the adult colony, eggs were collected from the pond every 15 days and added to the immature specimens obtained in the laboratory. The identification of the eggs followed the methods of Zequi & Lopes (2007). Eggs collected from the field were used for comparisons of oviposition in the field and laboratory.…”