Larval rearing temperature affects susceptibility of Aedes albopictus to chikungunya virus

A key feature in the recent widespread epidemic of the mosquito-borne alphavirus chikungunya (CHIKV) was an important role of the supposed secondary vector Aedes albopicus. This container-inhabiting species is an invasive vector that occurs over a wide geographic range and broad spectrum of ambient temperatures. In this study we examine the effect of an ecologically realistic range of larval rearing temperatures on CHIKV infection and dissemination by Florida F₁ A. albopictus. Adults from larvae reared at 18, 24, and 32°C differed significantly in size, development time, and CHIKV infection rate. Adult females with the largest body size were produced from the coolest temperature, took the longest to mature, and were 6 times more likely to be infected with CHIKV than females reared at 32°C and 2.2 times more likely to be infected than females reared at 24°C. This study indicates that climate factors, such as temperature, experienced at the larval stage, can influence the competence of adult vectors.