Bulletin of Entomological Research (1996) 86, 281-287

E.B. Vinogradova, S.Ya. Reznik and E.S. Kuprijanova (1996)
Ecological and geographical variations in the siphonal index of Culex pipiens larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 86 (3), 281-287
Abstract: Culex pipiens Linnaeus is represented by two forms: the form molestus which is autogenous, stenagamous and has no reproductive diapause, and the form piens which is anautogenous, eurygamous and diapauses. The ecological, physiological and geographical variations in the larval siphonal index of C. pipiens (the ratio of the length of the siphon to its width at the base) was investigated using both original measurements and previously published data. In all, data were used from 259 collections from open water bodies (marshes ditches, holes, barrels, etc.) and underground waters (house basements) in areas of Europe, Asia and part of Africa. Autogeny was studied in some cases by dissection of females. In C. pipiens the mean siphonal index was strongly correlated with ecology (water body type) and adult physiology (autogeny). In spite of high geographical and individual variation, which makes the identification of individual larvae difficult, the mean siphonal index can be used with certainty for the differentiation of populations of the two forms of C. pipiens.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Elena B. Vinogradova, Sergey Ya. Reznik

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex pipiens
	Culex molestus