Gonotrophic Interactions in Mosquitoes: Kicking the Blood-Feeding Habit
O'Meara GF. 1985. Gonotrophic Interactions in Mosquitoes: Kicking the Blood-Feeding Habit. Florida Entomologist. 68(1):122-133
Abstract from author. "A blood meal is usually required for the production of each egg clutch in mosquitoes with piercing-type mouthparts. However, in some hematophagous mosquitoes, blood feeding is optional, and not necessary for the maturation of the initial egg clutch. Still other mosquitoes forego blood feeding until after they have deposited their first egg clutch. And in a few species, females have totally abandoned the blood-feeding habit, though they are equipped with piercing-type mouthparts. When a blood meal is not used the burden of accruing materials for egg production is shifted from adult to larva. This range of variation in gonotrophic interactions is shaped by certain ecological factors, such as availability of hosts for the adults and food for the larvae." This study includes mosquitoes from Flamingo, Everglades National Park, Florida.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- O'Meara, George
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Blood, Everglades National Park, Evolution, Feeding, FL, Flamingo, Mosquitoes (Culicidae), Reproduction