EFFECT OF AGING ON THE FLIGHT PERFORMANCE OF FEMALE AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITOES IN THE LABORATORY,
Abstract
The paucity of information concerning mosquito flight ability resulted in an experiment designed to estimate mosquito flight potential under laboratory conditions. Forty female A. aegypti mosquitoes were flown weekly on a flight mill system designed and fabricated at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Average distances flown, duration of flights, weight lost during exhaustive flights, and the speed of flights were compared. Significant differences in flight performance were found between weeks. However, no statistical differences occurred in flight performance on days within weeks. Maximal flight ability occurred during the first 14 days of adult life. Flight ability decreased by about 40% during the 3rd week and an additional decrease occurred in the 4th week. All mosquitoes were analyzed for glycogen (the primary source of flight energy in mosquitoes) after exhaustive flights, and comparisons were made with the glycogen levels in non-flown controls of identical age. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0806602
Entities
People
- Charles L. Graham
- Wayne A. Rowley