Mating affects egg maturation in Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effect of mating on egg development and the size of the female accessory glands during the gonotrophic cycle of Anopheles gambiae was investigated. Although females that received a measured meal of blood were more likely to produce an egg batch when they were mated, the increased reproduction was not the result of male accessory gland substances. Changes in the size of the female accessory gland were not observed after mating nor at any time during the gonotrophic cycle, but there was a more rapid increase in its size following emergence in mated females.