Horizontal and vertical dispersal of dengue vector mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, in Singapore

Abstract

To study the dispersal of dengue vector mosquitoes in Singapore, females of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) were fed blood containing rubidium (Rb), which was detectable in their eggs by means of Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFAAS). Laboratory calibration of the Rb reading, for a range of egg numbers from Rb-fed females, indicated a reasonably linear relationship and an unequivocal distinction between results with zero and one marked egg. Rb-marked female Aedes mosquitoes aged 3-5 days were released in semi-rural and urbanized parts of Singapore, with an array of ovitraps extending to a radius of 320 m from the release point. Subsequently, Rb-marked Aedes eggs were detected throughout the array, with similar distributions on each of the 4 days after release. More Rb was detected nearer the release point. However, when correction was made for the greater areas of zones further from the release point (and therefore presumably existence of more alternative oviposition sites), there were no significant differences in the numbers of marked eggs per ovitrap in the zones nearer or further from the release points. It is concluded that females of both these Aedes (Stegomyia) species could disperse easily and quickly throughout areas of radius 320 m in search of oviposition sites. This contrasts with the general belief that Ae. aegypti seldom flies more than 50 m and that control operations can safely be based on such an assumption. Releases on level 12 of a 21-storey apartment block, with ovitraps on each storey, showed similar easy and rapid dispersal to the top and bottom of the block.

Periodic forcing in a three-level cellular automata model for a vector-transmitted disease

“…As the dispersion of Aedes aegypti due to its flight rarely exceeds 100m [33], we assume R = 100m. The range of values of µ was estimated by requiring that the model reproduces the same behavior of the histogram of the number of census sectors with, at least, one reported dengue case during the corresponding time period.…”

Effect of Peridomestic Environments on Repeated Infestation by Preadult Aedes aegypti in Urban Premises in Nha Trang City, Vietnam

“…aegypti , 7 may increase the chances of infestation of the premises by preadult forms of the mosquito. In addition, the difference between high-and low-rise buildings 8,9 ; construction pattern of houses 10 ; and the condition of the premises such as degree of shade, house, and yard conditions 11 may also influence infestation. Therefore, some premises may have specific environments that increase the risk of frequent infestations by preadult forms of Ae .…”

Development and Evaluation of an Attractive Self-Marking Ovitrap to Measure Dispersal and Determine Skip Oviposition inAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) Field Populations

“…Aedes albopictus dispersal has been examined in several studies (Bonnet and Worcester 1946, Mori 1979, Niebylski and Craig 1994, Honorio et al 2003, Liew and Curtis 2004, Maciel-de-Freitas et al 2006, Lacroix et al 2009, Marini et al 2010. In most studies, Ae.…”

“…albopictus adults have remained in an area less than 120 m from the release site (Bonnet and Worcester 1946, Niebylski and Craig 1994, Lacroix et al 2009, Marini et al 2010); however, in some studies, this mosquito dispersed >800 m (Honorio et al 2003, Maciel-de-Freitas et al 2006. In mosquitoes that exhibit skip oviposition, little information has been reported in regards to the distance traveled between oviposition sites (Honorio et al 2003, Liew andCurtis 2004). This knowledge is critical to development of new approaches in Ae.…”