Container habitat characteristics: Aedes larval abundances and adult quality

Aedes oviposit in a range of water holding containers. Three common species, Aedes triseriatus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes japonicus are known or suspected vectors of arboviruses, such as West Nile and La Crosse, that are important causes of human disease.  Productivity in these containers depends on detritus input from adjacent terrestrial habitat. Field and laboratory studies show that both inter and intra- specific resource competition have  important context- dependent effects on these species that may translate into physiological, immunological, and life history characteristics that impact vector competence. Other ecological factors such as drying regime and predation will also likely impact the species, number, and quality of adults that emerge. We conducted field sampling of these Aedes species in extant container habitats in central Illinois to quantify: 1) important habitat characteristics; 2) characteristic abundances of immature mosquitoes in those habitats; and 3) habitat quality. All contents were removed from tires, vases, and tree-holes that were positive for mosquitoes. Environmental variables were recorded and mosquitoes were identified to species and counted. Habitat quality was assessed by quantifying type and amount of detritus and by a bioassay quantifying success in growth and development of larvae of the three Aedes species reared in standard volumes of fine- particulate- containing water from the container. Analysis using general linear models showed that container type, water volume, and total detritus amount were important determinants of abundance of these three species in the field. Detritus type, container volume and abundance of Culex restuans immatures were predictive of species survival in the bioassay. Tests of the effect of container size and volume on larval mosquito communities and adult production in the field are under way manipulating size and initial volume of container. Fortnightly sampling will determine larval species abundance. Pupae reared to adulthood will be used to assess quality using longevity, fecundity, and willingness to bloodfeed.