Copula Modeling of Differential Effect of Leaf Species on Aedes albopictus Development Time

Decaying leaves provide a major carbon source for mosquito larvae and leaf litter of different plant species vary in their ability to support mosquito growth, survival, and development. Thus analyzing the effects of leaf species treatment on development time of Aedes albopictus has the potential to discover a plant-based strategy for mosquito control. Here, we employ a statistical model named copula that provides a convenient methodology for modeling multivariate dependence to determine the association between leaf litter identify and mosquito performance. A copula that best fits the association of leaf litters on mosquito performance is selected, and statistical tests are performed to check the adequacy of the copula chosen. By computer-based Monte Carlo methods, a large number of simulated development times are generated under the copula chosen. From the simulated development times, we calculate the percentiles to determine expected development time of female Aedes albopictus under the five different leaf species treatments, and compared the results to those when all the effects of leaf infusion are combined.