Sensitivity of monitoring Aedes aegypti (L.) populations was determined to identify the distribution of dengue virus (DENV) during epidemics in Quintana Roo. From September to November 2012, we used a motorized aspirator to collect 2,144 female Ae. aegypti from 569 homes. These were grouped into 220 to use semi-nested RT-PCR for DENV, and positive groups were analyzed individually. Five groups (2.27%) were positive for DENV. Individual analysis yielded eight groups that tested positive, six with DENV-2, one DENV-1, and one DENV-4. The latter was not reported by the surveillance system that year. The mean number of female mosquitoes per household was 3.77 ± 5.71, and the rate of viral infection of Ae. aegypti was 0.4%. Most infected mosquitoes (49%) were concentrated in 10% of the houses. Monitoring Ae. aegypti infected with DENV has the potential to complement the current system of clinical and entomological surveillance.Resumen. Se determinó la sensibilidad del monitoreo de poblaciones Ae. aegypti para identificar la circulación de DENV durante epidemias en Quintana Roo. De Septiembre a Noviembre del 2012, en 569 viviendas se colectaron 2,144 hembras Ae. aegypti con un aspirador motorizado. Se agruparon en 220 lotes para realizar la RT-PCR semi-anidada para DENV y los lotes positivos se analizaron individualmente. Cinco lotes (2.27%) fueron positivos para DENV. El análisis individual de los lotes arrojó ocho mosquitos positivos: seis DENV-2, uno DENV-1, y uno DENV-4. Este último no fue reportado por el sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica en ese año. El promedio de hembras colectadas por casa fue 3.77 ± 5.71 y la tasa de infección viral de Ae. aegypti 0.4%. La mayoría (49%) se concentró en el 10% de las casas. Monitorear Ae. aegypti infectados a DENV tiene ________________________

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