Associations between oviposition responses and larval survival for two tire-inhabiting mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) species in an organic chemical blend

Distributions of mosquito larvae may be influenced by adult oviposition behavior, the suitability of the habitat for larvae, or both. Although it is generally accepted that locations where mosquito larvae are found are due to adult female oviposition behavior, factors associated with the larval environment that influence larval development and survival may lead to selection for increased oviposition responses in optimal larval habitat. Our objective was to investigate associations between oviposition responses and larval survivorship for two common tire-inhabiting mosquitoes, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus). Mosquitoes were released into field enclosures, each housing two identical automobile tires containing different concentrations of an organic ten-chemical blend known to influence oviposition responses of Culex mosquitoes. Eggs laid in the tires were then hatched in the lab, and the larvae were reared to adults in aliquots of water collected from their respective tires. Results indicate that Ae. albopictus oviposition responses do not significantly differ when the chemicals are present in concentrations of pg/liter and 10^-10 g/liter. Culex quinquefasciatus deposited a significantly lower percentage of eggs in the pg/liter concentration than in the 10^-10 g/liter concentration or in water controls. Linear regression revealed no significant associations between oviposition responses and larval survivorship for either species. We conclude that oviposition responses of both species are not associated with survivability of the larval habitat in the chemical concentrations tested.