Environmental Factors Related to the Abundance and Activity ofOchlerotatus albifasciatus(Diptera: Culicidae) in an Agricultural Landscape of Steppe Arid Climate

Abstract

Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) is a flood water mosquito whose highest density has been found associated both with natural landscapes (prairies or grazing fields) in temperate and subtropical regions and with rainfall events. In the current study, we aimed to find out how the marked differences between environmental factors of agricultural landscape patches in a steppe arid region affect the relative abundance of this species. In wetland patches, the high activity of adults was closely associated with the flood irrigation system, suggesting that the agricultural activity contributes to the proliferation of this mosquito. The steppe patches would constitute an adverse environment reflected by the abrupt decrease in abundance. Multiple linear regression showed that some explanatory variables, such as wetland patches and moment of the day (midday), did not contribute significantly to the relative abundance variation. In contrast, temperature, wind, and cloud cover seemed to regulate the biting activity of females. Temperature affected the activity of mosquitoes in the steppe but seemed to have no effect in wetland patches, where the activity of mosquitoes was permanent and more stable against changes in temperature. In the steppe, which presents low levels of humidity, scarce vegetation, and greater wind exposure, the activity seemed to be unstable against small thermal variations. The variability of the relative abundance of Oc. albifasciatus in an agricultural landscape was widely explained by temperature in combination with the microenvironment type, wind speed, and cloud cover and indirectly by human activity.

Wing morphometrics of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart, 1838) (Diptera: Culicidae) from different climatic regions of Argentina

“…Therefore, the individuals from Patagonia could follow the converse Bergmann’s rule, although Ae. albifasciatus is a multivoltine species, where an increase in metabolism could produce more cohorts in a limited favorable season (summer) [ 12 ], resulting in individuals of smaller size than those from Buenos Aires.…”

“…In a windy environment such as the Patagonian arid steppe during the summer time [ 38 ], the favorable Ae. albifasiatus season [ 12 ], thinner wings could be more favorable to avoid being displaced.…”

“…Its geographical range includes different regions [ 8 , 9 ] with different types of landscapes, environments and climates. Aedes albifasciatus has even been found to be adapted to extreme places such as elevated sites [ 10 ] and brackish water microenvironments [ 11 ], as well as tolerating strong wind bursts [ 12 ].…”

Spatial and temporal patterns in Arctic mosquito abundance

“…Because weather has been previously reported to have important effects on mosquito flight activity and CO 2 trap captures (Ewing et al, 2016;Garzon et al, 2014;Service, 1997) In 2017 we ran traps every 2-3 days, regardless of weather conditions, to test for the effects of weather on host-seeking activity. This allowed us to determine operational boundaries for clement versus inclement weather for adult mosquito activity.…”

Study on spatial-temporal distribution and environmental ties of Japanese B Encephalitis’s mosquito vector as well as landing rate in The Olympic forest park

“…The vector population is closed correlated to the environmental factor [9,10], which providing the breeding for larva and resting for adults [11][12][13]. So, studying the correlation of environmental factor with mosquito population could provide corresponded measures for the vector prevention and control.…”