Journal of Medical Entomology (2001) 38, 441-445

B.M. Russell, B.H. Kay and W. Shipton (2001)
Survival of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs in surface and subterranean breeding sites during the northern Queensland dry season
Journal of Medical Entomology 38 (3), 441-445
Abstract: The effect of a protracted dry season on the viability of Ae. aegypti (L.) eggs was examined in Townsville, northern Queensland, Australia. Eggs were placed in several different surface and subterranean larval habitats; and after four dry season months, only 1–10% of eggs remained viable in the surface and subterranean sites, respectively. Low humidity and predation by Periplaneta americana (L.) were the major causes of egg mortality in eggs in surface sites. P. americana was the most significant cause of egg predation in subterranean breeding sites but fungi, especially Penicillium citrinum Thom, covered egg batches within 15 d. Mycotoxins produced by the spores of P. citrinum are believed to have killed embryonating eggs. The high mortality rate of Ae. aegypti eggs during the dry season suggests that this survival strategy is unlikely to contribute to rapid and successful recolonization of surface sites at the end of the wet season.
(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): Brian H. Kay

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aedes aegypti		Australia (NT+QLD)