Effects of arsenic exposure on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Previous studies have shown that heavy metal accumulations are more prevalent in human-modified soils due to industrialization, unplanned disposal infrastructure and modern agriculture.  Contamination levels are expected to increase as industrialized development expands throughout previously rural regions. Very little information is available on the lethal and sub-lethal effects of arsenic on aquatic  insect vectors. In regions where water pollution, including arsenic, are common, this information may provide some details about the timing of aquatic life cycle stages as well as overall abundance patterns.  Two vector species are planned for this study.  Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes thrive in domestic and peri-domestic habitats.  A high potential for contamination of possible habitats exist in polluted areas, especially in economically under developed areas.  In addition, other species of mosquito not included in this study may respond in a similar fashion to the toxic effects of varying arsenic quantity levels.  Our goal is to examine the result of different concentrations of arsenic on larval survivorship and developmental times on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.  Susceptibility across different instars during the developmental process is examined.  We hypothesize that arsenic will show a detrimental outcome on larval survival, having greater toxicity impact on younger instars. Development time is expected to increase as arsenic levels increase. Additional results will be discussed.