Daily pattern of oviposition and fecundity in Anopheles pseudopunctipennis Theobald, the main vector of malaria in Mexico

Regardless of whether they were grouped or individual, insectary-reared or field-collected, mosquito females exhibited a primary oviposition peak between 18:00 and 20:00, followed by a gradual decline until midnight. While nulliparous females from the insectary ceased oviposition after 24:00, a small percentage of parous females continued laying eggs throughout the night, until shortly before dawn (between 24:00 and 06:00). Parous females laid more eggs than nulliparous females CONCLUSION: Nulliparous and parous females of An. pseudopunctipennis exhibited a major oviposition peak between 18:00 and 20:00, a few minutes after sunset. Oviposition activity persisted, albeit at a lower rate, until 24:00. A small subset of parous females continued ovipositing until 6:00. Parous females were observed laying more eggs than nulliparous females. Based on the high activity of An. pseudopunctipennis, from dusk until midnight, chemical control with pyrethroid insecticides applied by ultra-low volume (ULV) or by thermal fogging is proposed in breeding sites during this period, in areas near localities with active malaria transmission.