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OVIPOSITION SITES OF AEDES VEXANS (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE): WET-PRAIRIE HABITATS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Robert J. Novak
Robert J. Novak
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
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Abstract

Intensive sampling for eggs of Aedes vexans (Meigen) in upland wet-prairie habitats revealed that three species of plant, Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass), Polygonum pennsylvanicum (smartweed), and Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutgrass), commonly occurring in contiguous U.S.A. and southern Canada and dense mats of vegetative detritus could be used as indicators of oviposition sites. Where a slope was steep, specific elevations indicated oviposition site preferences. Plant species and elevation were both indicators of areas where soil moisture was attractive to gravid females. Soil moistures between 55% and 69% were found optimal for oviposition.

Résumé

Des échantillonnages intensifs des oeufs d’Aedes vexans (Meigen) en prairies humides élevées, ont révélé que 3 espèces végétales, Echinochloa crusgalli (pied de coq), Polygonum pennsylvanicum (renouée de Pennsylvanie) et Cyperus esculentus (amande de terre), communes dans les régions contiguës des USA et du sud du Canada, de même que les tapis épais de débris végétaux, pouvaient être utilisés comme indicateurs des sites d’oviposition. Dans le cas de pentes abruptes, l’élévation spécifique se révélait indicatrice des sites préférés d’oviposition. L’espèce de plante et l’élévation étaient toutes deux indicatrices des endroits où l’humidité du sol était convenable pour les femelles prêtes à pondre. Les valeurs optimales de l’humidité du sol pour la ponte se situaient entre 55 et 69%.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 113 , Issue 1 , January 1981 , pp. 57 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1981

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