[Selectivity of female mosquitoes (Culicidae) for their sites of oviposition: state of the question].

Abstract

Factors and mechanisms governing selection of oviposition sites, in natural conditions, by female mosquitoes, are not well known. Laboratory tests show that a large number of very diverse environmental factors can attract or stimulate females to oviposit at a particular site (biophysical parameters, microorganisms, decomposing organic matter of different types). Pheromones produced by eggs, larvae or nymphs, depending on genera and species, seem to play an equally active role. A critical review of the main works as well as an account and a prospective of current knowledge in this field are presented and discussed.