Factors associated with the presence and abundance of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Perspectives from larval habitat-scale and neighbourhood-scale analyses in the Argentine subtropics.

Abstract

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) are invasive species known for their notable expansion capacity, which makes them relevant in the context of public health due to their role as vectors. In Argentina, these species coexist in a limited subtropical area in Northeastern part of the country. Because of the limited knowledge existing about these species in this region, the present study aims to investigate the determinants of the presence and abundance of both vectors at the larval habitat scale (presence and abundance) and neighbourhood scale (House, Container and Breteau Indices; abundance; and number of pupae). For this purpose, preimaginal stages of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti were sampled in households from areas with variable urbanisation degrees (in rural, vegetated urban and non-vegetated urban) located in the province of Misiones, Argentina. The analyses considered the association with meteorological variables (temperature and precipitation), environmental variables (type of urbanisation), biotic variables (presence of predator species) and container characteristics (size and water volume). At the larval habitat scale, Ae. albopictus was associated with precipitation, temperature and rural environments. In contrast, Ae. aegypti was positively associated with urban environments and negatively with predator presence. At the neighbourhood scale, Ae. albopictus was primarily associated with precipitation and temperature, whereas Ae. aegypti showed a negative association with predator presence and positive associations with urban environments and, to a lesser degree, meteorological variables. These results indicate that in Argentina, meteorological, biotic and environmental factors have differential influences on Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, underscoring the need to consider them for the development of effective public health strategies.