OVIPOSITION SITE SELECTION OF AEDES JAPONICUS

Melissa Hardstone

Department of Entomology and Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

123 Huntington St.

New Haven, CT06511

Melissa.Hardstone@ct.gov

ABSTRACT

Aedes japonicus is an invasive mosquito species introduced to the United States in the early 1990’s. Since the time of its introduction, this mosquito species has spread westward across the country and become established along the east coast. Previous survey work showed that while Ae. japonicus larval abundance has increased since its arrival, both Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus have exhibited decreasing abundance patterns. The goal of this study was to determine oviposition site selection by Ae. japonicus to determine if niche segregation was occurring between the container-inhabiting species. In the first experiment, it was observed that Ae. japonicus was the dominant species in used tires while Ae. triseriatus was dominant in tree holes, indicating niche segregation within the wood lot. In the second experiment, it was observed that Ae. japonicus preferred small and medium size rock holes while Ae. atropalpus preferred larger rock holes, indicating a weaker niche segregation within the natural rock hole habitat.