Data from: Age and body size influence sperm quantity in male Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes
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Aedes albopictus is a vector of several arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and potentially Zika viruses. A solid understanding of male reproductive biology is essential to vector control strategies that deploy males into the field, but limited investigative effort into male Ae. albopictus leave many basic questions unanswered. We tested whether body size and age affect sperm production in Ae. Albopictus. In general, older and larger males having a greater total number of sperm in their reproductive tract than their younger or smaller counterparts. However, spermatogenesis in large males continues past 10 days post eclosion, while small males failed to produce sperm after this age. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of Ae. albopictus reproductive physiology. We discuss the usefulness of these findings in the context of Ae. albopictus life history and their utility in optimizing male mosquito release strategies.