The effects of microcosm surface area and larval density on Aedes aegypti development time and adult mass

Due to the strong relationship between larval development and adult success, controlling mosquito populations and the diseases they transmit depends greatly on a thorough knowledge of the environmental parameters that influence larval development. In this study, larval Aedes aegypti were reared in microcosms constructed from three diameters of PVC pipe (10.2 cm, 15.2 cm, and 20.3 cm) to provide variable surface areas (81.67 cm2, 181.37 cm2, and 323.49 cm2). Larvae were added at densities of 20 or 100/microcosm to each of the different surface areas and the resulting life history parameters of development time and adult mass at eclosion were measured for each individual. Higher larval densities resulted in decreased average development time for males and increased average adult mass for females. Average development time was longest for both females and males at the intermediate surface area, however this effect was only significant for males. This trend remains the same when surface area data is examined separately for high density, however at low density the intermediate surface area results in the shortest average development time. Container breeding mosquitoes often exploit a wide range of breeding habitats. Understanding the interactive influences of environmental factors that impact life histories of these mosquito species will have positive effects on control efforts as well as disease outbreak prevention.