Contributions of temporal segregation, oviposition choice, and non-additive effects of competitors to invasion success of Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in North America

Abstract

The mosquito Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) has spread rapidly through North America since its introduction in the 1990s. The mechanisms underlying its establishment in container communities occupied by competitors Aedes triseriatus and Aedes albopictus are unclear. Possibilities include (A) temporal separation of A. japonicus from other Aedes, (B) oviposition avoidance by A. japonicus of sites containing heterospecific Aedes larvae, and (C) non-additive competitive effects in assemblages of multiple Aedes. Containers sampled throughout the summer in an oak-hickory forest near Eureka, MO showed peak abundance for A. japonicus occurring significantly earlier in the season than either of the other Aedes species. Despite this, A. japonicus co-occurred with one other Aedes species in 53 % of samples when present, and co-occurred with both other Aedes in 18 % of samples. In a field oviposition experiment, A. japonicus laid significantly more eggs in forest edge containers than in forest interior containers, but did not avoid containers with low or high densities of larvae of A. triseriatus, A. albopictus, or both, compared to containers without larvae. Interspecific competitive effects (measured as decrease in the index of performance, λ′) of A. triseriatus or A. albopictus alone on A. japonicus larvae were not evident at the densities used, but the effect of both Aedes combined was significantly negative and super-additive of effects of individual interspecific competitors. Thus, neither oviposition avoidance of competitors nor non-additive competitive effects contribute to the invasion success of A. japonicus in North America. Distinct seasonal phenology may reduce competitive interactions with resident Aedes.

Thermal experiments with the Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus japonicus) (Diptera: Culicidae) and implications for its distribution in Germany

“…albopictus [ 63 ] and adult as well as immature stages show broader seasonal activity periods than other species of Aedes / Ochlerotatus [ 41 ]. Its phenology of rapid population increase in early spring may hold a developmental advantage over other container-inhabiting mosquitoes [ 35 , 64 ].…”

“…The successful establishment of an exotic species in a newly colonised region is not only dependent on temperature. Factors like availability of unoccupied ecological niches and avoidance of competition due to temporal segregation of oviposition [ 35 , 64 ] were hypothesised to play a role in the Asian bush mosquito’s invasion success. Also, the colonisation dynamics of Ae.…”

Oviposition of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) and associated native species in relation to season, temperature and land use in western Germany

“…Several studies have investigated the distribution of Ae. japonicus japonicus on a regional scale in its native area [9,24,25], as well as outside of its area of origin [26][27][28][29]. However, knowledge gaps exist with respect to its occurrence and spread at the local level.…”

Predation on the invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) by native copepod species in Germany

“…The Asian bush mosquito is polycyclic, mainly breeding from May to October, and its larvae develop in small containers, including natural habitats like rock pools and tree holes and many forms of artificial habitats in human settlements (LaCasse and Yamaguti , Tanaka et al , Sota et al , Bartlett‐Healy et al , Murrell et al ). In Germany, especially in the western and southwestern parts of the country, Ae.…”