DIEL OVIPOSITION PATTERNS OF AEDES-ALBOPICTUS (SKUSE) AND AEDES TRISERIATUS (SAY) IN THE LABORATORY AND THE FIELD

The oviposition patterns of Aedes albopictus and Aedes triseriatus wer e observed in preliminary field experiments during the summer of 1995 and in the laboratory the following winter. Aedes albopictus exhibited a diel periodicity of oviposition in the field, ovipositing a signifi cantly greater number of eggs during the day than during the night (P = 0.0001). Laboratory observations for 40 consecutive hours indicated that Ae, albopictus oviposited only during the hours of light, with a broad peak of oviposition activity occurring in mid-afternoon. Aedes t riseriatus, however, oviposited during all periods of the day and nigh t in the field. A significantly greater number of eggs were oviposited in traps open 24 hours than in traps open only during the day (P = 0. 01), whereas there was no significant difference in the number of eggs deposited in traps open 24 hours and those open only during the night (P = 0.14). In the laboratory, Ae. triseriatus oviposited during all periods of light and dark, with a distinct peak of oviposition activit y occurring during the evening crepuscular period.