Histologic parameters for studying multiple blood meals in aedes albopictus (Skuse)‎ (diptera: culicidae)‎

Abstract EN

During a single gonotrophic cycle, histologic technique was used to detect the multiple blood feedings in Ae.

albopictus.

During a 3-day period, 200 blood engorged Ae.

albopictus mosquito females were examined.

The results showed that 69% (138/200) of these females imbibed two blood meals.

Time between the second blood meal and fixation ranged from 0 to 32 h.

When applying histologic parameters, only 23% of females with multiple meals were detected.

Our data suggest that the limit for histologic detection of multiple feeding were more restricted for Ae.

albopictus.

Histological studies revealed the presence of an early blood meal within the second one appearing as a body of dark digested blood mixed with heme (H), or sometimes a pink undigested blood associated with a bluestaining peritrophic plug (PP) surrounding the blood meal and the presence of a physical separation (PS) separating the blood meals.

When using histologic technique of field collected mosquitoes, advanced stages of oocytes or development of ovarian follicles with apparent dilations were observed.