A study comparing the growth rates of two related species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes flavopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) at different temperature regimes

Abstract

: Aedes albopictus has originated in Asia and expanded its range worldwide in the last 30 years. In Japan, this species occurs from the Ryukyu islands to Tohoku district, whereas its sibling species Ae. flavopictus is distributed throughout Japan including Hokkaido. On the other hand, the former mainly inhabits residential area, while the latter does natural environments such as bamboo groves and forests. To understand how they differ in habitat use, their performance was compared under various temperature regimes, i.e. , constant temperatures of 22, 25 and 28°C and a fluctuating temperature regime of 20 ‒ 30°C (mean: 25°C). Mortality from the first instar stage to adult emergence was significantly higher in Ae. flavopictus than in Ae. albopictus at constant temperatures of 25 and 28°C. Development time was significantly longer in Ae. flavopictus than in Ae. albopictus at 28°C. The proportion of females that did not oviposit was significantly higher in Ae. flavopictus at a constant temperatures of 28°C and a fluctuating temperature regime. Thus, Ae. albopictus is at least more adapted to higher or fluctuating temperatures than Ae. flavopictus . Such difference in their temperature adaptation may be one of factors that cause their different geographic distribution and habitat use.