Vertical dispersal of Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. in high-rise apartments in Putrajaya, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Wan-Norafikah, Othman, Nazni, Wasi Ahmad, Noramiza, S., Shafa'ar-Ko'ohar, S., Azirol-Hisham, A., Nor-Hafizah, R., Sumarni, M.G., Mohd-Hasrul, H., Sofian-Azirun, Mohd, Lee, H.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine 2010
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QH301 Biology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/5829/1/Vertical_dispersal_of_Aedes_%28Stegomyia%29_spp._in_high-rise_apartments_in_Putrajaya%2C_Malaysia.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/5829/; http://www.msptm.org/files/662_-_667_Wan-Norafikah_O.pdf

A preliminary study on the vertical dispersal of Aedes populations in high-riseapartments was carried out in Presint 9, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Ovitraps were placed indoorswithin four blocks of high-rise apartments from the ground floors (0.0 – 3.0 m) until upto the tenth floors (28.1 – 30.0 m). Aedes aegypti was the dominant species found in theovitraps (87.85%), while Aedes albopictus was found in lower numbers. From total numberof larvae collected (650), 40.92% of these larvae were obtained from the fourth block;Block D. The peak density of Aedes sp. was observed at level 6 (16.1 – 18.0 m), whileAe. aegypti was found until the tenth floor (28.1 – 30.0 m). In contrast, Ae. albopictuswas found only up to the sixth floor (16.1 – 18.0 m). A poor correlation of the meannumber of Aedes larvae collected with the level of high-rise apartments occupied (N=40;ρ=-0.349) was also observed which indicated the possibility of lesser Aedes populationsto be found at higher level of high-rise apartments. Therefore, larger scale studies arestrongly recommended to examine the vertical dispersal of Aedes mosquitoes.