Thermal conditions and Aedes aegypti larval behavior

The general impact of temperature on ectotherm growth is well established, with higher temperatures resulting in quicker development and smaller sized adults.  What is less well understood are the various mechanisms driving these life-history phenomena.  In this study, we examined the impact of different thermal environments on the qualitative and quantitative behavior of larval Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito.  We found differences as a result of different thermal environment and abundance of food.  These differences may help explain how temperature results in different life-history outcomes for these important pathogen vectors, with concomitant impacts on disease transmission.