SCIENTIFIC NOTE Effect of Oviposition Site Deprivation on Oviposition Perfor- mance and Egg Hatch Rate of Naturally Blood–fed Gravid Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effect of oviposition site deprivation on oviposition performance and egg hatch rate of naturally blood–fed gravid Culex quinquefasciatus was examined in the laboratory. The rate of gravid females ovipositing within 24 hours was not significantly affected by the period of oviposition site deprivation that ranged from 1 day to 9 weeks. However, some gravid females failed to form egg rafts, and significant differences were found among some treatments. The egg hatch rate decreased significantly with the period of oviposition site deprivation. The implications of these findings on the introduction of mosquito borne viruses are discussed.