Date of Award
5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College of Science and Mathematics
Department/Program
Biology
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Matthew Aardema
Committee Member
Scott Kight
Committee Member
Lisa Hazard
Abstract
The mosquito, Culex pipiens f. molestus, is a scientifically relevant species due to its impact upon both human and veterinary medicine. This city dwelling disease vector lives and reproduces in underground tunnels and sewer systems throughout the world. After reproducing, adults begin searching for food above ground, but little is known about the sensory signals that guide this seeking behavior. Because cues may have a major impact on feeding and reproduction, I compared the phototaxic response of adult male and female Cx. pipiens f. molestus at different reproductive states. Virgin females, mated females, virgin males, and mated males were monitored to determine how they would respond to a light signal at one end of a tunnel. All groups showed a significant positive phototaxic response. However, the response of virgin females was less pronounced than the responses of the other groups. The overall positive phototaxic response indicates that Culex pipiens f. molestus may be using light signals, at least in part, to initiate seeking behavior. The lesser response of virgin females is potentially due to a biological mechanism that delays host-seeking, even in the presence of initiating cues, until after reproduction has occurred.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Catalina, Karen M., "Response to Phototaxic Stimulation in Relation to Sex and Reproductive State in the Urban Adapted Mosquito, Culex pipiens f. molestus" (2020). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 473.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/473