Invasion Biology ofAedes japonicus japonicus(Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Aedes japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) has recently expanded beyond its native range of Japan and Korea into large parts of North America and Central Europe. Population genetic studies begun immediately after the species was detected in North America revealed genetically distinct introductions that subsequently merged, likely contributing to the successful expansion. Interactions, particularly in the larval stage, with other known disease vectors give this invasive subspecies the potential to influence local disease dynamics. Its successful invasion likely does not involve superior direct competitive abilities, but it is associated with the use of diverse larval habitats and a cold tolerance that allows an expanded seasonal activity range in temperate climates. We predict a continued but slower expansion of Ae. j. japonicus in North America and a continued rapid expansion into other areas as this mosquito will eventually be considered a permanent resident of much of North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Hawaii.

Contributions of temporal segregation, oviposition choice, and non-additive effects of competitors to invasion success of Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in North America

“…First documented in North America in 1998 (Peyton et al 1999), this species has since spread from New York and New Jersey to nearly all states east of the Mississippi and two Canadian provinces, and has also been established in western United States and Europe (Kaufman and Fonseca 2014). Despite its rapid range expansion and high abundance, and some evidence that its invasion is associated with declines in abundances of other species (Andreadis and Wolfe 2010; Rochlin et al 2013), the causes of its success as an invader are unclear.…”

Evidence that implicit assumptions of ‘no evolution’ of disease vectors in changing environments can be violated on a rapid timescale

“…Aedes j. japonicus has now become established in at least 20 US states and three Canadian provinces in eastern North America. The species' current range spans from Minnesota through Quebec and Newfoundland in the north all the way to Georgia in the south [18]. Established populations of Ae.…”

“…This species is native to northern Japan and the Korean peninsula [17,18]. During the harsh winters in this part of the world, Ae.…”

What Can Larval Ecology Tell Us About the Success ofAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) Within the United States?: Table 1.

“…albopictus in its documented superior competitive ability over many resident container species in the United States (Yee et al 2004b, Kesavaraju et al 2007). Aedes albopictus does not appear to spend more time foraging compared with Aedes japonicus, a newly invasive species from Japan (Kaufman and Fonseca 2014). Specifically, O'Donnell and Armbruster (2007) examined foraging behavior of these two species across six food environments consisting of both liquid and solid forms.…”

“…albopictus, they have used a narrow set of detrital environments, and most have used the same laboratory strain of Ae. j. japonicus (Kaufman and Fonseca 2014). Thus, these methodological shortcomings offer the need for a broader examination for how feeding behavior of these two invasives influences competitive interactions.…”