FACILITATION AMONG INVASIVE MOSQUITOES

Andrea Egizi & Dina Fonseca

Rutgers University

School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Entomology

Center for Vector Biology

180 Jones Ave.

New Brunswick, NJ 08901

amegizi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Aedes japonicus, currently expanding across the world, is largely considered a cold-adapted mosquito. However in 2004 it established a population on the island of Hawaii, where temperatures are warm year-round. In an effort to understand factors promoting Ae. japonicus’ introduction we examined how its larvae interact with larvae of another Hawaiian introduction, Culex quinquefasciatus. We found Aedes japonicus larvae were unable to survive containers high in organic matter when paired with high temperature (27°C) in treatments by themselves; however they were able to survive these conditions in the presence of Cx. quinquefasciatus. We are currently developing experiments to uncover the mechanism behind this interaction including comparisons of feeding rate and gut contents between the two species. This study provides evidence that invasive mosquitoes may be able to facilitate the survival of other invasive mosquitoes in unfavorable conditions, and highlights the importance of understanding how new mosquito introductions interact with existing species.