Large Diurnal Temperature Fluctuations Negatively Influence Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Life-History Traits

Autor(es): Carrington, Lauren B.; Seifert, Stephanie N.; Willits, Neil H.; Lambrechts, Louis; Scott, Thomas W.


Resumo: Seasonal variation in dengue virus transmission in northwestern Thailand is inversely related to the magnitude of diurnal temperature fluctuations, although mean temperature does not vary significantly across seasons. We tested the hypothesis that diurnal temperature fluctuations negatively influence epidemiologically important life-history traits of the primary dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (L.), compared with a constant 26 degrees C temperature. A large diurnal temperature range (DTR) (approximate to 18 degrees C daily swing) extended immature development time (> 1 d), lowered larval survival (approximate to 6%), and reduced adult female reproductive output by 25% 14 d after blood feeding, relative to the constant 26 degrees C temperature. A small DTR (approximate to 8 degrees C daily swing) led to a negligible or slightly positive effect on the life history traits tested. Our results indicate that there is a negative impact of large DTR on mosquito biology and are consistent with the hypothesis that, in at least some locations, large temperature fluctuations contribute to seasonal reduction in dengue virus transmission.


Palavras-Chave: Aedes Aegypti; Thailand; Dengue Virus; Life-History Trait; Temperature Fluctuation


Imprenta: Journal of Medical Entomology, v. 50, n. 1, p. 43-51, 2013


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1603/ME11242


Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Epidemiology ; Aedes aegypti - Public health


Data de publicação: 2013