What is "anautogeny"

n. (context entomology English) The condition, found in many insects, where a gravid female has to feed before oviposition (egg laying), in order for the eggs to mature. This is particularly important in insects that are considered vectors (e.g. mosquitos), as without the necessary feeding, no eggs will be produced.

In entomology, anautogeny is a reproductive strategy in which an adult female insect must eat a particular sort of meal (generally vertebrate blood) before laying eggs in order for her eggs to mature. This behavior is most common among dipteran insects, such as mosquitoes. Anautogenous animals often serve as vectors for infectious disease in their hosts because of their contact with hosts' blood. The opposite trait (needing no special food as an adult to successfully reproduce) is known as autogeny.