Weight and Development Time of Different Stadia of Mosquitoes Reared at Various Constant Temperatures

Abstract Development time decreased with each increase in rearing temperature in Aedes vexans , A . nigromaculis , and Culiseta inornata until the optimum survival temperature was reached. The optimum survival temperature for A . vexans was 26.5 °C, for A . nigromaculis 21 °C, and for C . inornata 21 °C. Dry weight gain per hour in female larvae was greater than in male larvae in all three species, at all temperatures. There was a significant reduction in weight in each larval instar, pupal, and adult stage, with each 5.5 °C increase in rearing temperature. Times to larval–pupal ecdysis and pupal–adult ecdysis were the same for males and females of A . nigromaculis at all developmental temperatures tested. Time to larval–pupal ecdysis and pupal–adult ecdysis in A . vexans and C . inornata occurred 1 to several days later in females, depending upon the developmental temperature. In all three species the duration of the fourth instar was longest and the specific weight gain greatest.