The effect of temperature and photoperiod on the induction of embryonic diapause in the mosquito Aedes togoi (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Aedes togoi (Theobald) from Vancouver, B.C., enters embryonic diapause when immatures, adults, and eggs are maintained at temperatures ranging from 22 to 28 °C, at photoperiods shorter than 15 h light/day. There was little to no embryonic diapause when the population was maintained at 24 °C and 17L:7D. The critical photoperiod was 14.4L:9.6D at 22 °C. A decrease in the frequency of diapause was observed as (i) temperature of the pupae, adults, and eggs increased from 18 to 28 °C when larvae were maintained at 24 °C 17L:7D; (ii) temperature of the egg stage increased from 15 to 30 °C, at 10L:14D, and stages preceding the egg stage were maintained at 24 °C 17L:7D; (iii) stages preceding the egg stage were maintained at 24 °C 17L:7D and the photoperiod was increased from 10L:14D to 18L:6D; (iv) temperature of the egg stage increased from 18 to 25 °C, at 10L:14D, and stages preceding the egg stage were maintained at 24 °C 17L:7D.