Thesis
Effects of Soil on the Survival, Development, and Oviposition Behavior of Culex Pipiens Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005202
Abstract
Water quality is known to affect the development and survival of larval mosquitoes, which affects mosquito-borne pathogen transmission as a function of the number of biting mosquitoes in an area. Although many studies have demonstrated effects of water properties on mosquito development, few studies have investigated the link between soil properties, water quality, and mosquito life history traits. Given that many mosquito species develop in water on the ground, this study explored the effects of soil substrate on various life history parameters of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Cx. p. quinquefasciatus larvae were reared in water combined with different soil substrates (sandy, silt, or clay loams) at increasing soil volumes, with and without the addition of organic material (fish food). Blood fed mosquitoes were offered soil-water cups to investigate soil effects on oviposition preference. Without added food, larval development differed significantly between soil type and volume, with only mosquitoes in clay soils reaching pupation (P < 0.001). Adding food to the cups significantly reduced the effect of soil type on survival time (P < 0.001) and pupation (P < 0.001). The addition of food did not affect the effect of soil on development (P < 0.001). Adult female mosquitoes had a strong preference for soil with higher mineral content, selecting clay soils 75% of the time (P < 0.001). This study suggests soil composition plays an important role in larval mosquito survival and development, and adult oviposition behavior of females. Future studies may explore additional soil types to better understand how soil affects mosquitoes, improving our understanding of the landscape characteristics that support mosquito populations and pathogen prevalence.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of Soil on the Survival, Development, and Oviposition Behavior of Culex Pipiens Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes
- Creators
- Kellen Pautzke
- Contributors
- Jeb P Owen (Advisor)Allan S Felsot (Committee Member)John P Reganold (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Entomology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 40
- Identifiers
- 99901019634601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis