Scanning Electron Microscopy of the egg of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

SANTOS-MALLET J.R.; GLEISER, R.M.; ALENCAR J.; MARQUES W.A.; SARMENTO J.S.; MÜLLER G.A.; MARCONDES C.B.

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY

Entomological Society of America

Año: 2009 vol. 46 p. 980 - 985

0022-2585

Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a mosquito species of medical and veterinary importance, usually associated with temporary groundwater habitats. Eggs obtained from females collected in Cordoba city, in the center of Argentina, were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The eggs are elliptical in outline, measuring 615.7  37.24 m in length (l) and 180.7  22.87 m in width (w), with an egg index (l/w ratio) of 2.9 Ð3.7. The outer chorionic sculpture has racquet-shaped and wristwatch-shaped cells consisting of a small central tubercle surrounded by larger tubercles and followed by a row of smaller tubercles on one or both sides, respectively, although variations between regions of the egg were observed. The micropylar apparatus has a collar with evident molding and edges of determined length, albeit irregular, with defined margins for the transition area and a thickness of 10.7 m. The margins of the micropylar disc are raised and the disc measures 21.1 m in diameter. The micropyle is distinct.