Abstract
Background & objective Photoperiod and diapause effects on chronology of embryonic development of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a very efficient invasive species. It rapidly spreads across the temperate countries by means of its egg diapause. The diapause strengthens the survival capacity of eggs to pass the winter, increasing notably its resistance to cold [1] and to desiccation [2]. Diapause is a crucial adaptation and a complex process [3], induced by the maternal photoperiod [4] (Fig 1.). The preparative phase of diapause modifies the metabolism of ovocytes [5] up to the pharate first-instar larvae. These modifications should interfere with the velocity of the embryogenesis in Aedes albopictus eggs, such as egg volume [6]. This is the focus of this study.