influence of constant temperature on the development and survival of the immature stages of Culex (Culex) theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effect of various constant temperatures on the development of laboratory-reared mosquitoes (Group A) and on the progeny of field-acclimatized adults (Group B) was studied. For both groups the optimum development temperature was 27°C and the peak development temperature was 33°C. The thresholds of development were 7,9°C and 6,3°C, while the average development times were 11,9 days and 11,3 days for groups A and B respectively. The highest percentage survival occurred at 27°C for Group A while 21°C- 27°C gave the same survival for Group B. The upper critical limits of development to adulthood were 36°C and 33°C respectively while the lower limits were 15°C (Group A) and 12°C (Group B).