Assessing the impact of density-dependence on a natural population of Aedes aegypti larvae

Dengue fever is the most important mosquito-borne virus affecting humans. It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti, which preferentially feed on humans, and develop as larvae in containers of water in and around peoples’ houses. In order to design more efficient approaches for controlling Ae. aegypti it is critical to understand the factors that regulate larval density within water-filled containers. Although many studies of intra-specific competition have been conducted using larvae of Ae. aegypti in the laboratory, few studies have been done in the natural environment of Ae. aegypti, no published studies have critically examined density dependence in natural containers. We performed field experiments in Tapachula, Mexico where dengue is a significant public health concern. Containers with natural food and water which already contained larvae were taken from peoples’ houses. Containers were divided in half for a high-density and low-density treatment. The natural water was divided between the two sides in equal volume. Larvae were separated by stage and divided into density treatments. Larvae were counted and pupae were removed daily. Once adults emerged, wings were cut and measured. All of the data will be compared between the high-density and low-density treatments. Statistical analysis of size will use paired comparison t-tests.