Effect of temperature and nutrition on the development and interspecific relationship of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Climate change might affect the geographic distributions of Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus Skuse, which are competent vectors of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever in Asia. Effects of temperature, diet, and the presence of congeners on the immature mortality, development time, and adult body size of these two aedine species were examined in the laboratory. Groups of 100 mosquitoes in three different species-densities were reared at four constant temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35°C) with poor or rich diets. Among the four temperatures, mortality increased only at 35°C in both species. Mortality was higher on the rich diet than on the poor at 35°C. Presence of the congener had a significant effect on the mortality of Ae. albopictus, but not on Ae. aegypti. Congener presence affected the body size of Ae. aegypti, but had less effect on Ae. albopictus. Both species developed more quickly at higher temperatures within the range 20–30°C; not at 35°C. Sex ratio of Ae. albopictus differed considerably among treatments; more males occurred in enriched diet, and congener absence. Per capita performance of Ae. albopictus was elevated in the range 20–25°C, while that of Ae. aegypti was elevated in the range 25-30°C in enriched diet. Population growth of Ae. albopictus was more stable, that of Ae. aegypti varied more with temperature and diet.