The establishment of habitats for immature Ae. aegypti is regulated by biotic and abiotic factors and interactions between these factors. This study aimed to determine the effects of physico-chemical variables and planktonic algae on immature Ae. aegypti habitats in 101 water tanks (50 of them containing Ae. aegypti pupae and/or larvae) in Girardot, Colombia. Physical data were collected from the water tanks (volume, capacity, material, detritus, and location), along with the physico-chemical variables (temperature, pH, conductivity, redox potential, dissolved oxygen, percentage of oxygen saturation, nitrates, nitrites, and orthophosphates). The richness and abundance of the planktonic organisms were also measured. A chi-square test showed that the occurrence of detritus was greater and the container volume was smaller in the tanks that were positive for larvae. Only Cyanobacteria had a positive correlation with the abundance of immature-stage Ae. aegypti. The results could be important for understanding the vector ecology and envisaging its probable control in the domestic water tanks of Girardot. Journal of Vector Ecology 42 (2): 289-297. 2017.

A territorial analysis of Aedes aegypti density was conducted in two Colombian cities using an ecosystem and chorematic approach. Entomological and behavioral data (by cluster) and information on the urban context were used to analyze the relationship between territorial structures and dynamics and vector density. The results were represented in graphic (chorematic) models. Arauca showed higher vector density than Armenia. Higher density was related to unplanned urbanization, flood-prone areas, low socioeconomic strata, household water tanks, higher temperature, and recall of control measures for adult mosquitos. Zones with low density indices coincided with diverse socioeconomic, ecological, and behavioral conditions. The study found a relationship between territorial structures and dynamics and vector density in both Arauca and Armenia, where the interaction between ecological and social systems shape areas with high and low A. aegypti density.

Las poblaciones bacterianas se encuentran de manera frecuente en el agua, especialmente en estanques y aguas residuales de zonas urbanas y rurales. Sus abundancias parecen tener efecto sobre la presencia de inmaduros de algunos insectos acuáticos como mosquitos. En el presente estudio se buscó establecer la relación entre los estados inmaduros de Aedes aegypti y la presencia de Escherichia coli en depósitos de agua potable de la ciudad de Girardot, Colombia. Para ello se realizó un muestreo aleatorio de 30 reservorios en diferentes casas, la mitad de ellos con presencia de diferentes cantidades de inmaduros de Ae. aegypti. En todos los casos se tomaron muestras para hacer recuentos directos de E. coli en placas de 3MTM PetrifilmTM Aqua. Se realizaron pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas para determinar diferencias y correlacionar las poblaciones de bacterias y vectores. Se encontró una relación significativa entre el número de UFC mL-1 de E. coli y las abundancias de los inmaduros de Ae. aegypti. Se estableció que hubo diferencias en las abundancias bacterianas entre depósitos con cantidades bajas, moderadas y altas de inmaduros del mosquito.Se verificó que el aumento en el número de larvas y pupas del vector fue superior en la medida en que las muestras de agua contenían mayor cantidad de E. coli.