New Zealand Entomologist (2010) 33(1): 79–83
©New Zealand Entomological Society, Inc.

Research article
Aspects of nutrition and oviposition in the endemic rockpool mosquito Opifex fuscus Hutton (Diptera: Culicidae)

Amy E. Snell ^*1,2, Rochelle L. Knox ¹ and Rachel P. Cane <sup>1,3

1</sup> New Zealand BioSecure Entomology Laboratory, P.O. Box 38-328, Wellington 5045, New Zealand.
² 22c Emery Rd, Campbelltown, South Australia 5074, Australia.
³ NZBEL Research, P.O. Box 69-198, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand. E-mail: rachelc@nzbiosecure.net.nz.
^*Corresponding author.

Abstract: Opifex fuscus is a New Zealand endemic coastal species of mosquito. It has primitive taxonomic characteristics making it an interesting species from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives, although there is limited information available on its biology. This preliminary investigation examines evidence for a link between autogenous oviposition and adult nutrition, with some observations on longevity. Our data indicate that only sugar-fed adult females are capable of laying their first batch of eggs autogenously. This species was also observed to exhibit skip oviposition in the laboratory. Females fed sugar and laying eggs survived markedly longer than both females fed sugar and not laying eggs, and females not fed sugar.

Keywords: Longevity; survival; nutrition; autogeny; oviposition