Intra-Annual Changes in Abundance ofAedes(Stegomyia)aegyptiandAedes(Ochlerotatus)epactius(Diptera: Culicidae) in High-Elevation Communities in México

Abstract

We examined temporal changes in the abundance of the mosquitoes Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) epactius Dyar & Knab from June to October 2012 in one reference community at lower elevation (Rio Blanco; approximately 1,270 m) and three high-elevation communities (Acultzingo, Maltrata, and Puebla City; 1,670-2,150 m) in Veracruz and Puebla States, México. The combination of surveys for pupae in water-filled containers and trapping of adults, using BG-Sentinel traps baited with the BG-Lure, corroborated previous data from 2011 showing that Ae. aegypti is present at low abundance up to 2,150 m in this part of México. Data for Ae. aegypti adults captured through repeated trapping in fixed sites in Acultzingo--the highest elevation community (approximately 1,670 m) from which the temporal intra-annual abundance pattern for Ae. aegypti has been described--showed a gradual increase from low numbers in June to a peak occurrence in late August, and thereafter declining numbers in September. Ae. epactius adults were collected repeatedly in BG-Sentinel traps in all four study communities; this is the first recorded collection of this species with a trap aiming specifically to collect human-biting mosquitoes. We also present the first description of the temporal abundance pattern for Ae. epactius across an elevation gradient: peak abundance was reached in mid-July in the lowest elevation community (Rio Blanco) but not until mid-September in the highest elevation one (Puebla City). Finally, we present data for meteorological conditions (mean temperature and rainfall) in the examined communities during the study period, and for a cumulative measure of the abundance of adults over the full sampling period.

WHATCH’EM: A Weather-Driven Energy Balance Model for Determining Water Height and Temperature in Container Habitats for Aedes aegypti

“…aegypti is highly abundant, to the high elevation Puebla City at ~2100 m, where Ae. aegypti is rarely found (Lozano-Fuentes et al 2012, 2014). We found that our energy balance modeling approach adds an important level of complexity and nonlinearity to water temperature variability, leading to results that are not always intuitive.…”

“…aegypti immatures in containers in 12 communities located along an elevation and climate gradient in central México (Lozano-Fuentes et al 2012, 2014). Three representative communities along this gradient are Veracruz City at sea level, with highly favorable climatic conditions for the mosquito; Rio Blanco along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental (~1250 m), where the mosquito is moderately abundant; and Puebla City in the central highlands (~2100 m), where a few specimens of Ae.…”

First report of Stegomyia aegypti (= Aedes aegypti) in Mexico City, Mexico

“…However, the most recent survey indicated the intermittent presence of S. aegypti at 2130 m a.s.l. in Puebla State (Lozano‐Fuentes et al ., , ). Consequently, Mexican control programmes have adopted monitoring and surveillance schemes in localities in which the presence of the mosquito is unlikely, such as in Mexico City.…”

“…Recently, populations of S. aegypti in Mexico have been reported much more frequently in localities with dry and cold conditions (Lozano-Fuentes et al, 2014). Historically, this mosquito species has been well established in regions located below 1700 m a.s.l.…”