Male Aedes albopictus inhibit feeding by female Aedes aegypti

Two invasive mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, have been interacting during a rapid range expansion by Ae. albopictus. We investigated the potential for interspecific feeding interference by male mosquitoes interacting with females within and between these species. Aedes aegypti feeding on both sugar water and blood was suppressed when exposed to Ae. albopictus males, but not to conspecifics. Aedes albopictus feeding was not affected by males of either species.. The potential consequences of these behaviors are discussed within the context of other known interspecific effects, all of which appear to favor the displacement of Ae. aegypti by Ae. albopictus.