Life history and blood feeding activity of a Philippine population of Aedes Albopictus skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions

Issue Date

10-2014

Abstract

The life history, fecundity and blood-feeding time of Aedes albopictus, an emerging important vector of dengue viruses in the Philippines, was investigated under laboratory conditions (26.7 ± 0.9 °C and 83% ± 5.7% RH). The average development time of the life stages are as follows: eggs, 1.84 ± 0.8 days; larval stage: first instar, 2.31 ± 0.5 days; second instar, 1.11 ± 0.1 days; third instar, 1.12 ± 0.1 days; fourth instar 1.33 ± 0.2 days; pupal stage, 1.94 ± 0.1 days; and 3.91 ± 1.2 days for the adult longevity. The observed total developmental time from egg to adult was 13.55 ± 1.0 days. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1.0. Females laid an average of 46.2 ± 32.3 eggs. Mortality factor from egg to pupal stage was K= 0.3808. Peak feeding time of Ae. albopictus regardless of age was at 07:00H, which is the first exposure period to the host. Highest frequency of probing during this time was observed in 5 days old (DO) Ae. albopictus females followed by 7, 4, 6 and 3 DO. Additional peak biting time of 6 and 7 DO females was at 10:00H, while that of 3 DO females was at 21:00H and 03:00H. In addition, no null observation was recorded at any observation time point. These results indicate that an effective mosquito management control strategy should be aimed at preventing Ae. albopictus vectorial capacity anytime of the day.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

28

Issue

2

Page

104-120

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

AEDES ALBOPICTUS; CULICIDAE; LIFE CYCLE; FERTILITY; HAEMATOPHAGY

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