Container aperture size and nutrient preferences of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Auckland region, New Zealand.

Ovitraps are a widely used tool for mosquito vector surveillance and population monitoring. In the Auckland region, New Zealand, the oviposition preferences of mosquitoes were assessed in artificial breeding containers in relation to container aperture size and water nutrient levels. Only three mosquito species were recorded: the endemic Culex pervigilans and the exotic Culex quinquefasciatus and Ochlerotatus notoscriptus. Both Culex species were somewhat rare and would not readily utilize the ovitraps. Ochlerotatus notoscriptus displayed a significant preference for ovipositing in containers with low organic load, but mixed results were obtained in regards to container size. A linear regression analysis showed that mean daily temperature in the three weeks prior to container inspection explained almost all the variation in the larval densities of Oc. notoscriptus in ovitraps (r2 = 0.93), with which it was positively associated.