Faraji, Ary. Biology and control measures for Aedes albopictus (Skuse), the Asian tiger mosquito, in northeastern USA. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3B856KZ
DescriptionAedes albopictus is an invasive species with expanding geographic range and involvement in mosquito-borne diseases. Host selection patterns by invasive mosquitoes are important because they increase endemic disease transmission and drive outbreaks of exotic pathogens. Aedes albopictus has been characterized as an opportunistic feeder but limited information is available on their feeding patterns in temperate regions. Because of the increasing expansion and abundance of Ae. albopictus and the escalating diagnoses of exotic pathogens in travelers returning from endemic areas, I investigated the host feeding patterns of this species in newly invaded areas to elucidate its role in disease ecology and assess the public health threat of an exotic arbovirus outbreak. In Chapter 1, I report the blood meal results from Ae. albopictus in New Jersey. I found that Ae. albopictus fed exclusively on mammalian hosts with over 90% of their blood meals derived from humans (58%) and domesticated pets (23% cats, 15% dogs). No avian-derived blood meals were detected. The high mammalian affinity of Ae. albopictus suggests that this species will be an efficient vector of mammal- and human-driven zoonoses like dengue and chikungunya viruses but may have limited exposure to endemic avian zoonoses like West Nile virus. In Chapters 2 and 3, I investigated the penetration, characteristics, and efficacy of a nighttime adulticide application against diurnal populations of Ae. albopictus. Adult control of Ae. albopictus is difficult because the species occurs primarily within cryptic habitats of residential backyards where obstacles such as buildings can disrupt spray plumes and penetration. I collected aerosol droplets consistently from all habitats, with no significant differences detected between locations within the same application rate. Mid label rates displayed similar droplet density values as max label rates in urban areas. Dual applications at mid label rate spaced one or two days apart accomplished significantly higher reduction (85%) than single full rate applications (73%). Our results demonstrate that nighttime adulticiding is effective in reducing Ae. albopictus abundance and highlight its potential use as part of integrated mosquito management programs and during disease epidemics when reducing human illness is of paramount importance.