Aedes(Diptera: Culicidae) Vectors of Arboviruses in Mayotte (Indian Ocean): Distribution Area and Larval Habitats

Abstract

Biological invasions generally induce profound effects on the structure of resident communities. In Mayotte, where Aedes aegypti and Ae. lilii were already present, the recent introduction of Ae. albopictus raises public health concerns because it may affect the risk of arbovirus transmission. Entomological surveys were carried out in six locations on the island following a transect defined by a gradient from urban to rural habitats during a dry and a wet season. A total of 438 larval habitats containing Aedes spp. immature stages were surveyed. We evaluated the characteristics of larval habitats and analyzed the field distribution of Aedes spp. throughout Mayotte using generalized linear models. Artificial containers used for water storage were significantly more productive for Ae. albopictus immature stages than for Ae. aegypti ones. Most of natural larval habitats collected were colonized by Ae. aegypti, and it was also the most common Aedes species encountered in rural habitats. Conversely, Ae. albopictus greatly predominated in urban and suburban habitats and during the dry season. Ae. lilii was uncommon and occurred preferentially in leaf axillae and dead leaves on the ground. Ae. albopictus has rapidly colonized the inhabited areas of Mayotte. A displacement of Ae. aegypti populations by Ae. albopictus populations in urban areas might be happening. The increasing urbanization seems to greatly favor the presence of the invasive species. Thus, arbovirus surveillance programs should focus, as a priority, on areas where this vector is present because of a higher risk of emergence of an epidemic source of arboviruses.

Competitive Reduction by Satyrization? Evidence for Interspecific Mating in Nature and Asymmetric Reproductive Competition between Invasive Mosquito Vectors

“…aegypti encountered the "moving fronts" of Ae. albopictus invasions, such as those observed in Brazil, 35 West Africa, 8 or Mayotte, 36 and may still play a role in maintaining spatial segregation between these species in some areas of Florida and Brazil. 37 In some other areas, prolonged contact between the two species may have led to the progressive evolution of resistance to satyrization by Ae.…”

Coexistence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Jinghong City, Yunnan Province: A Survey of Aedes aegypti Invasion

“…aegypti did not remain the predominant mosquito in Honolulu. Recent studies [15] reported that Ae. aegypti has decreased from high prevalence in 1907 to relict populations in remote valleys today in Mayotte.…”

L'environnement socio-spatial comme facteur d'émergence des maladies infectieuses

“…A Mayotte enfin, l'urbanisation gagne du terrain et Aedes aegypti perd de son emprise face à Aedes albopictus mieux adapté à cette nouvelle donne d'augmentation et de concentration de la population (Bagny, 2009). On peut faire l'hypothèse que le degré d'ouverture vers l'extérieur sera un élément déterminant de la propagation de l'épidémie non seulement à l'échelle régionale mais aussi et surtout à l'échelle mondiale.…”