Monitoring and control of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1984) with use of ovitraps

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the main vector virus of dengue, and puts at risk half of the world population. It is an anthropophilic mosquito and carries the Chikungunya and Zika viruses. Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is abundant in vegetated areas near residences and can transmit Chikungunya virus and yellow fever. Strategies for monitoring and controlling these vectors are necessary to reduce viral circulation. Estimate the population variation of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in relation to urbanization and to verify relations of overlap and competition of these vectors with the use of ovitraps were the objective of this work. The research was carried out in 10 sites in the campus of the State University of Londrina, from April to October of 2015. The ovitrap was elaborated with dark plastic pot, containing in its interior water, a palette, attractive mixture and temephós. The eggs collected on the palettes were stimulated to hatch to identify the species through the larvae. We collected 46,879 Aedes eggs and April had the highest egg density (IDO=49.0). The temperature had a strong correlation with to oviposition activity between April and July (r=0.88). Aedes aegypti predominated in different sites in the urban areas. The results obtained prove that ovitrap is an effective tool to monitor and assist strategies to control the population of these vectors.