EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON CULEX TARSALIS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) FROM THECOACHELLA AND SAN-JOAQUIN VALLEYS OF CALIFORNIA

The F-1 progeny of Culex tarsalis Coquillett females from the Coachell a (CV) and San Joaquin (SJV) valleys collected during April 1991, and April, July, and October 1993 were reared and maintained as adults at 5 constant temperatures ranging from 14 to 38 degrees C. CV F-1 progen y exhibited smaller body size, enhanced survival during spring, and hi gher autogeny rates than SJV F-1 progeny; however upper and lower ther mal tolerance limits, immature developmental rates and survivorship, a nd adult life table parameters were relatively similar for both strain s. Mosquitoes from both sites exhibited midsummer changes in immature developmental rates and survivorship, adult wing length, life expectan cy at emergence, and generation time. These data indicated that temper ature may select for both spatial and temporal changes in mosquito bio logy.