Oviposition on Dry Surfaces by Anopheles (Cellia) gambiae Giles

Abstract

UNTIL now, it has been held that, before any species of mosquito will oviposit, water must be present as surface moisture or as a collection¹. Some forty-two years ago, however, Wesenberg-Lund² recorded Aedes (Ochlerotatus) communis (De Geer) ovipositing among superficially dry leaves on a dried lake bed and under leaves in the laboratory, and concluded that this mosquito probably lays its eggs on dry earth. The observations recorded here have shown definitely that Anopheles (Cellia) gambiae Giles will oviposit on absolutely dry surfaces (at least in the laboratory), if the gravid female ready to lay its eggs is denied access to water. The eggs so oviposited, however, fail to turn black and are not viable. A survey of the literature locally available has revealed no definite previous record of oviposition on dry surfaces by mosquitoes.