The 'gonotrophic cycle' in Anopheles mosquitoes determines malaria vectorial capacity because it defines the:
- A Duration of the extrinsic incubation period of Plasmodium in the mosquito
- B Lifespan of the adult female mosquito
- C Interval between blood meals, which sets the biting frequency used in vectorial capacity calculations ✓
- D Susceptibility of the mosquito species to Plasmodium infection
Correct answer: C. Interval between blood meals, which sets the biting frequency used in vectorial capacity calculations
Explanation
The gonotrophic cycle (blood meal → egg development → oviposition → next blood meal) determines the biting rate 'a' in McDonald's vectorial capacity formula: C = ma²bp^n/(-ln p), where 'a' is the biting rate per day. A shorter gonotrophic cycle means more frequent biting and higher malaria transmission potential. Typically 2–3 days at warm temperatures in Anopheles.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.