Habitat characteristics and larval abundances of medically important mosquito species in central Illinois

Female mosquitoes of the genus 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 which are important causes of human disease.  Productivity in these containers depends on detritus input from terrestrial flora and fauna. 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. I conducted field sampling of these species in 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 the three Aedes species reared in standard volumes of 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, volume and abundance of Culex restuans mosquitoes were predictive of species survival in the bioassay. Thus container characteristics may be important determinants of adult vector production and adult traits for these Aedes.