The biology and demographic parameters of Aedes albopictus in northern peninsular Malaysia

• Main Authors: Nur Aida, Hashim, Hamady, Dieng, Tomomitsu, Satho, AT, Nurita, Che Salmah, Md Rawi, Fumio, Miake, Norasmah, B, Abu Hassan, Ahmad
• Format: E-Article
• Published: Elsevier 2011
• Subjects: Q Science (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9521/; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169111601032

Objective To generate life table characteristics for the dengue vector Aedes albopictus (A. albopictus) under uncontrolled conditions, incorporating both the aquatic and the adult stages. Methods Ten females derived from wild pupae were allowed to fully blood-feed on restrained mice. 774 eggs were hatched in seasoned water. F1 larvae were followed for development until their F2 counterparts emerged as adults. Some population parameters were monitored (F1) or estimated (F2). Results A. albopictus exhibited increased fecundity and egg hatch success. Immature development was quick. Immature survival was high, with lowest rate in the pupal stage. Adult emergence was about 81% and sex ratio was close to 1:1. Generational mortality (K) was about 28%. A high proportion of females completed a reproductive cycle and the obtained parity rate was predicted to lead to higher fecundity in the next generation. Conclusions It can be concluded that natural A. albopictus populations in Penang seem largely determined by quick development in combination with low immature loss and increased oviposition.