EFFECTS OF AGE AND MATING ON THE HOST-SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF AEDES-AEGYPTI MOSQUITOS

Chronologically older female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that had previou sly undergone a gonotrophic cycle were more likely to respond to host stimuli when gravid than those that had not blood-fed previously. Mati ng or injection with male accessory gland (MAG) homogenates decreased the percentage responding to host stimuli in both groups of old female s and there was a greater reduction by those that had previously inges ted blood. Older females that were mated late in life were less likely to respond to host stimuli than were old females mated early. Injecti on of MAG homogenates into older females that mated early in life caus ed a significant decline in host-seeking behavior. This difference in the age-related change in host-seeking behavior during oogenesis appea red to be due to the decline in the activity of MAG substances within the females.