Behaviors associated with egg and parasite deposition by gravid and Lambornella clarki-infected Aedes sierrensis.

Egg- and Lambornella clarki-deposition behaviors by the treehole mosquito Aedes sierrensis were monitored inside laboratory deposition containers using a video camera. Gravid and infected mosquitoes were seen probing the substrate and in the water with their abdominal tips. Both eggs and parasites were recovered from the containers. Gravid and infected mosquitoes performed the same or similar types of behaviors, but gravid mosquitoes spent significantly higher percentages of time engaged in exploratory probing movements than did infected mosquitoes. Gravid mosquitoes also spent significantly less percentage time resting and more percentage time grooming than did infected mosquitoes. It appears that, compared to gravid mosquitoes, infected mosquitoes spent less relative time in certain behaviors that may not benefit the parasite.