High Resolution Spatial Analysis of Habitat Preference of Aedes Albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Urban Environment

Abstract

Over the past decades, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895)) has emerged in many countries, and it has colonized new environments, including urban areas. The species is a nuisance and a potential vector of several human pathogens, and a better understanding of the habitat preferences of the species is needed for help in successful prevention and control. So far, the habitat preference in urban environments has not been studied in Southern European cities. In this paper, spatial statistical models were used to evaluate the relationship between egg abundances and land cover types on the campus of Sapienza University in Rome, which is taken as an example of a European urban habitat. Predictor variables included land cover types, classified in detail on a high resolution image, as well as solar radiation and month of capture. The models account for repeated measures in the same trap and are adjusted for meteorological circumstances. Vegetation and solar radiation were found to be positively related to the number of eggs. More specifically, trees were positively related to the number of eggs and the relationship with grass was negative. These findings are consistent with the species' known preference for shaded areas. The unexpected positive relationship with solar radiation is amply discussed in the paper. This study represents a first step toward a better understanding of the spatial distribution of Ae. albopictus in urban environments.

From eggs to bites: do ovitrap data provide reliable estimates ofAedes albopictusbiting females?

“…albopictus heavily infested study sites (∼1-hectar each) inside the metropolitan area of Rome (Italy), at about 400 m distance from each other: the botanical garden inside the campus of La Sapienza University of Rome (Site A, 41°54′12.6″N and 12°30′59.7″E; see Cianci et al, 2015) and the enclosed garden of the Institute of Anatomy (Site B, 41°54′23.32″N and 12°30′57.35″E; see Caputo et al, 2012). …”

“…albopictus adult females and their eggs from the field doesn’t significantly affect the mosquito population size and temporal dynamics: (i) collections were carried out in typical hot-spots of high Ae. albopictus density (Manica et al, 2016) in heavily infested areas (Marini et al, 2010; Cianci et al, 2015; Caputo et al, 2015); (ii) after the arrival in an infested area a human host can attract all the females present within a radius of only 4–7 m in 15′ HLC (Mogi & Yamamura, 1981); (iii) the time required by HLC represents only a small fraction of the overall female daily biting activity (Hawley, 1988); (iv) the number of ovitraps employed is to be considered negligible compared to number of potential natural breeding sites in the study sites (e.g., catch basins, vases, pots, flowerpot saucers).…”

Global risk mapping for major diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

“…Especially over the past 30 years, the distribution and public health impact of these arboviruses have increased dramatically (Carlson et al, 2016; Hafiz et al, 2016; Bhatt et al, 2013; Charrel et al, 2014; Messina et al, 2016; Jentes et al, 2011; Nanyingi et al, 2015), due to the widespread distribution of their vectors paired with increases in trade and travel (Kraemer et al 2015c). A considerable number of studies have mapped the global or regional distribution of A. aegypti and A. albopictus , determined their ecological requirements, and described their habitats (Khormi and Kumar, 2014; Brady et al, 2013; Cianci et al, 2015; Rao et al, 1973; David et al, 2016; Brady et al, 2014; Li et al, 2014). Recently, Kraemer et al (2015a) mapped the global distribution of A. aegypti and A. albopictus and found that the habitat suitability range for these species is at its widest ever, occurring in all continents including North America and Europe.…”

Forest canopy, water level, and biopesticide interact to determine oviposition habitat selection inAedes albopictus

“…Avoiding these habitats could reduce mortality in both adult and larval mosquitoes that reside and oviposit in forests. Aedes albopictus are strongly associated with shade (Li et al , Cianci et al , Manica et al ) and this behavior alone can reduce negative interactions with diverse assemblages of mosquito predators and competitors (Binckley and Resetarits , McCauley et al ), while also decreasing desiccation risks, as open canopy sites are more likely to have higher rates of evaporation. Widespread use of small and artificial bodies of water for egg deposition further reduces negative biotic interactions as these generally contain fewer predators given their temporary nature (Wellborn et al ).…”