Size variation and reproductive success of female Aedes punctor (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract. 1. Variation in size (wing length) of females and males within a population of Aedes punctor (Kirby) at emergence was recorded in northern Britain during 1984 and 1985. 2. Wing length correlated well with body dry weight, confirming its usefulness as a measure of body size. In 1984, but not in 1985, mean size decreased significantly as emergence progressed. 3. The size of host‐seeking females caught at human bait varied seasonally. This was partly accounted for by size variation during emergence. 4. Of females which fed to repletion, the largest spent least time in contact with the host. 5. In the laboratory, wing length correlated well with potential fecundity (number of ovarioles) and less well with actual fecundity (number of matured follicles) after feeding on human blood. 6. In the field, larger females were more successful at locating hosts, developed more egg clutches in a lifetime and generally lived longer than did smaller ones. Larger females appear to enjoy greater reproductive success than do smaller females.