Re: Overwintering of mosquito egg rafts

[rmop at juno_com]

Folks-those of you who read my prior messag concerning overwintering of
egg rafts might be interedsted in the following info. I got it from a
person involved in mosquito control research. The response generates a
few more questions and I am trying to get 
additional information from him. I'll pass it on as soon as I receive it.
Dick Martino
--------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: Re: Overwintering of egg rafts

Richard,

There are 2 basic types of mosquito eggs: 1) those that can dry
completely
and hatch when reflooded and 2) eggs that must remain moist to hatch.
Mosquitoes that lay the former type lay the eggs singly on a moist
surface.
When the substrate dries, the eggs remain viable until they are
reflooded.
Mosquitoes that lay their eggs in rafts have the latter type.  It is not
possible to freeze egg rafts because the individual eggs collapse and the
embryos die.

If you put a wooden paddle (tongue depressor or popsicle stick will do
fine)
protruding above the water in your oviposition container, mosquitoes that
lay their eggs singly may deposit them in numbers just above the water
line.
The common mosquito of this type in your area is called the Eastern
Treehole
Mosquito.  Place the container in a shaded area, preferably in or near a
woodland.

There is no need to freeze these eggs, in fact, freezing will probably
kill
them.    Place the egg-coated paddles in a plastic bag with a slightly
moistened piece of paper towel and save them until needed.   When you
want
larvae, submerge the paddles in water and the eggs should hatch.
Good luck,
Wayne J. Crans
Director, Mosquito Research & Control

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