Interaction of bacteria and Aedes albopictus larvae: Differential effects of bacterial species on larval growth and transstadial movement of bacteria

Development of container-inhabiting Aedes mosquito larvae occurs in small aquatic habitats that rely on allochthonous inputs of plant and animal debris as the basis for the habitat’s food web.  Microbes facilitate decomposition of organic matter and provide the principle food source for filter-feeding mosquito larvae.  Five species of bacteria previously isolated from infusions of fermenting senescent white oak leaves were evaluated for effects on the rate of Aedes albopictus larval development and the occurrence of transstadial transmission to larvae and to adult mosquitoes.  Microcosms containing bacterial isolates and mosquito larvae were assessed over a 21 day period.  Effects of individual and combined bacterial species on larval survivorship, pupal development time, adult development time, adult size and the transovarial transmission of bacteria will be reported.