Influence of temperature and larval nutrition on the diapause inducing photoperiod of Aedes albopictus.

Photoperiod induced dormancy for 14 North American strains of Aedes albopictus were determined at 21, 26 and 29 degrees C. Strains tested at 21 degrees C and intermediate temperatures of 25-27 degrees C demonstrated clear photoperiodic responses whereas temperatures of 29 degrees C and above, greatly reduced or negated diapause incidence. A suboptimal larval diet increased the percentage diapause in eggs laid by resulting adults. This larval diet was also associated with a slight increase in critical photoperiod.