A thermal heat summation model to predict the duration of the gonotrophic cycle of Culiseta melanura in nature.

This study determined the effect of temperature on the gonotrophic cycle of Culiseta melanura and developed a thermal heat summation model to calculate its duration under field conditions. A colony of Cs. melanura was used from New Jersey (F13-F17 generation) and the length of the gonotrophic cycle was observed at 2, 10, 16, 22, 28, 32 and 34 degrees C. None of the mosquitos survived at 2 degrees C or 34 degrees C and none laid fertile eggs at 32 degrees C. A linear regression analysis on the data showed that the thermal minimum for ovarian development was 6.4 degrees C and 95.87 degree days were required above 6.4 degrees C to complete one gonotrophic cycle. A thermal heat summation model is presented to allow calculation of the duration of the gonotrophic cycle under field conditions when average temperatures are known.