[Larval density as related to life cycle, size and fecundity of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) in laboratory].

We focused on the evaluation of the influence that the larval density have on the life cycle, size and fecundity of Aedes aegypti (L.). The bioassays were conducted at 26 + or - 2 degrees Celsius and at 12h light. Five larval densities (200, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 larvae/l) and two feeding systems (one with a fixed amount of 100 mg of food, and other with an amount of food proportional to the number of larvae/tray) were tested. Egg and larval development time and survivorship, sex ratio, longevity, fecundity and the size of adults were evaluated on a daily basis. The life cycle of A. aegypti was significantly affected by the density when offered 100 mg of food per tray. The period of larval development increased from 8.3 to 37.9 days whereas female fecundity and wing length decreased from 105.7 to 41.8 eggs/female and from 4.6 mm to 3.6 mm, respectively, by changing from a density of 200 to 1250 larvae/l. Significant differences of these variables were not detected when offering 1.9 mg of food per larvae, except for the size of the adults. Females emerged from rearing densities of 1250 larvae/l grew larger, with an average wing length of 5.2 mm.