Abstract

CALDERON ARGUEDAS, Olger; TROYO, Adriana; AVENDANO, Adrián  and  GUTIERREZ, Manuel. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in the Huetar Atlantic Region of Costa Rica. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2012, vol.21, n.2, pp.76-80. ISSN 1409-1429.

Objective: To determine the characteristics of larval habitats of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and the associated mosquito-fauna in the locality of “La Primavera”. This community was the first location in the county of Pococí where Ae. albopictus was evidenced, and it seems representative of the ecology of this vector in the region. Methods: A larval survey was performed in 20 of 28 households located in an area of 10 000 m². In these houses the internal and external environments were evaluated in order to identify potential mosquito breeding sites. The entomologic material collected was fixed in 70% ethanol and processed for microscopic analysis. Results:15houseswerepositiveformosquitobreedingsites. In these houses, 48 water filled containers were recorded, 31,2 % were positive for larvae or pupae of mosquitoes. Ae. albopictus was found in five breeding sites and in coexistence with other species such as Culex coronator, Haemagogus regalis, and Limatus durhamii.Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex corniger, Culex interrogator, Trichoprosopon compressum, and Aedes motoecopus were also observed. Aedes aegypti was not detected in the sampled area. Discussion: This preliminary data shows that Ae. albopcitus exhibits great affinity for sharing its larval habitat with other culicid species in rural or semi-rural environments, where the localization of breeding sites is mainly outdoors.The absence of Ae. aegypti could be related to some degree of competitive exclusion generated by Ae. albopictus. Determination of the potential role of Ae. albopictus in the transmission of dengue in the region is necessary.

Keywords : Dengue; Aedes; Culicidae; Costa Rica.

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