Autogeny in Culiseta longiareolata (Culicidae: Diptera) mosquitoes in laboratory conditions in Iran

Culiseta longiareolata is a cosmopolitan species and has implicated in the transmission of avian malaria,
tularemia, and arboviruses. Despite the wide distribution of Cs. longiareolata in Iran, little is known about its biology
and physiology. The current research was conducted to study the autogeny behavior in this potential vector. During
2018, larvae and pupae were collected from Nazloo region in Urmia City using standard methods. Mosquitoes were
reared in cages and fed by 5% sugar in laboratory conditions and were then dissected in phosphate-buffered saline
(PBS) under a stereo microscope.
Results: In total, 230 adult female Cs. longiareolata mosquitoes were dissected. Egg rafts were observed in the
ovary of only 10.86% unfed female mosquitoes. Autogeny behavior is a significant factor in the growth of population
without a blood feeding. Therefore, it is necessary to study how autogenous reproduction affects mosquito-borne
diseases