Use of an artificial bromeliad to show the importance of color value in restricting colonization of bromeliads by Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.

An artificial bromeliad was developed which, painted and containing an infusion water, elicited ovipositional response by caged adult Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Wyeomyia vanduzeei and Wy. mitchellii. Comparison was made of the ovipositional response of adults of the four mosquito species to artificial bromeliads painted black, white, dark green and deep blue. Adult Ae, aegypti and Wy. vanduzeei did not discriminate significantly between white, dark green and deep blue, but whereas Ae. aegypti showed a preference for black, Wy. vanduzeei showed an aversion to black. Adult Wy. mitchelli responded similarly to Wy. vanduzeei except that although deep blue was preferred to black, it elicited a significantly weaker response than did dark green and white. Adult Cx. quinquefasciatus responded similarly to Ae. aegypti but did not show a significant preference for black over dark green. The high color value (i.e., lightness) of natural bromeliad leaves is likely to deter oviposition by adult Ae. aegypti and Cx quinquefasciatus in favor of competing oviposition sites of lower color value.