Presence of Ascogregarina culicis and Ascogregarina sp. in natural sympatric populations of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Argentina

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the four arboviruses in America which have the greatest impact on human health. The introduction of Aedes albopictus in South America and Argentina acquires importance given the possibility that this species may be a new vector of arboviruses in this region. For this reason, the studies of the biology of their parasites, such as Ascogregarina spp., should be important for the knowledge of the invasive behavior of these vectors. We reported the finding of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti and Ascogregarina sp. in Ae. albopictus populations in subtropical Argentina. The prevalence of parasitism by A. culicis in Ae. aegypti and Ascogregrarina sp. in Ae. albopictus was 34.81% (n = 464) and 37.23% (n = 70), respectively, differing between the seasons and habitats. The infection intensity caused by A. culicis and Ascogregarina sp. varied between 1 to 250 and 1 to 327 trophozoites respectively. Ascogregarina culicis was found throughout the all sampling period of Ae. aegypti (June 2016-April 2018).However the presence of Ascogregarina sp. in the midgut of Ae. albopictus was not recorded throughout the whole sampling period despite the presence of the host.

Satellite observation to assess dengue risk due to Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a subtropical city of Argentina

“…aegypti is well documented (Benitez et al, 2019;Carbajo et al, 2006;Estallo et al, 2018), there is a lack of information on Ae. albopictus (Alonso, 2021;Alonso et al, 2022;Faraone et al, 2021;Lizuain et al, 2019;Schweigmann et al, 2004).…”

“…aegypti is well documented (Benitez et al, 2019; Carbajo et al, 2006; Estallo et al, 2018), there is a lack of information on Ae. albopictus (Alonso, 2021; Alonso et al, 2022; Faraone et al, 2021; Lizuain et al, 2019; Schweigmann et al, 2004). The management and control of both Aedes species is a main subject to prevent the related diseases associated with their presence if viral circulation occurred.…”

Gregarine parasites are adapted to mosquito winter diapause

“…Its ability to lay diapausing eggs which can remain dormant during the winter has enabled it to survive low temperatures and colonize temperate regions [ 7 ]. Its gregarine parasite Ascogregarina taiwanensis has a remarkable prevalence in both native and introduced populations [ 8 – 11 ], although some exceptions have been reported [ 12 ]. The parasites are released as oocysts (a means of environmental resistance) by adult mosquitoes when these emerge, die or defecate in freshwater [ 3 ].…”