Vision guides the twilight search for oviposition sites of the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oviposition site selection is an important component of vector mosquito reproductive biology. The Asian Tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a major and important vector of arboviruses including Dengue. Previous studies documented the preference of gravid females for small, dark-colored water containers as oviposition sites, which they sought during the twilight period (dusk) of their locomotor activity. Vision plays an important role in this behavior, and factors such as the shape, size, and color of the container, light intensity, polarization, spectrum, and other visual cues guide the search for suitable oviposition sites, but the mechanistic factors driving this behavior are unclear.

Methodology/principal findings

We blindfolded adult female compound eyes and

SUBMITTER: Zhao SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11602101 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature