Oviposition site-selection of Phlebotomus papatasi: the effects of conspecific stages
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Dannielle Josephine Kowacich (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Gideon Wasserberg
Abstract: Sand flies are the vectors of Leishmaniasis, which depending on the form, can be mutilating, debilitating, and/or deadly. Drawbacks of traditional vector control necessitate a more targeted control method. An alternative approach is to bring gravid females to the insecticide using an oviposition attractant. The general goal of this study was to evaluate the direct effect of conspecific stages on: (Aim 1) the oviposition response and (Aim 2) attraction of sand flies, and (Aim 3) to evaluate if these effects were dose-dependent. The general hypothesis of this study was that sand fly oviposition and attraction response will be affected by conspecific stages, and those responses will be dose-dependent. Aims 1 and 2 consisted of seven treatment groups: eggs, 1st instar larvae, 2nd/3rd instar larva, 4th instar larvae, pupae, adult males, and adult gravid females. Aim 3 treatment groups were increasing doses of eggs. All aims were tested using paired-choice bioassays. Oviposition response was measured by the number of eggs laid in the presence of treatment material and control. Attraction response was measure by the number of females stuck to baited and non-baited sticky traps. Oviposition bioassays identified a significant effect for high doses of eggs. In attraction bioassays, I found a significant negative relationship between attraction and conspecific post-hatching age, with a significant attraction to eggs. Overall, my study indicates that conspecific eggs, at particular doses, could induce elevated oviposition response as well as attraction.
Oviposition site-selection of Phlebotomus papatasi: the effects of conspecific stages
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Created on 8/1/2018
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2018
- Keywords
- Attraction, Conspecific, Leishmaniasis, Oviposition, Phlebotomus papatasi, Sand fly
- Subjects
- Phlebotomus papatasi $x Reproduction
- Leishmaniasis
- Sand flies $x Eggs