Seasonal Oviposition Activity of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in San Miguel de Tucumán, Northwestern Argentina

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) has recolonized many areas of Argentina. The purpose of this study was to determine the seasonal patterns of oviposition activity for this mosquito vector and the association between this factor and climate in an urban area (Tucuman Province) with a history of dengue transmission. We collected 9,476 eggs by ovitraps in San Miguel de Tucuman with the highest abundance of eggs observed in the 2 neighborhoods Ciudadela and El Bosque. Peak oviposition activity by Ae. aegypti occurred in the summer. The number of eggs laid was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation levels. Sumario Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) ha recolonizando diversas areas de la Argentina. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los patrones estacionales de la actividad de oviposicion para este mosquito vector, y la asociacion entre este factor y el clima en un area urbana (Provincia de Tucuman) con antecedentes de transmision de dengue. 9.476 huevos fueron recolectados con ovitrampas en San Miguel de Tucuman, con la mayor abundancia de huevos en los barrios Ciudadela y el Bosque. Picos de actividad de oviposicion de Ae. aegypti ocurrieron en el verano. El numero de huevos puestos fue correlacionado positivamente con la temperatura y los niveles de precipitacion. View this article in BioOne

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Seasonal Oviposition Activity of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in San Miguel
de Tucumán, Northwestern Argentina
Author(s): Giselle A. Rodríguez, Cecilia A. Veggiani Aybar, Guillermo L. Claps and Mercedes S.
Lizarralde de Grosso
Source: Florida Entomologist, 98(4):1241-1243.
Published By: Florida Entomological Society
URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1653/024.098.0435
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1Instuto Superior de Entomología “Dr. Abraham Willink”, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instuto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel Lillo
205, CP 4000, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argenna
2Consejo Nacional de Invesgaciones Ciencas y Técnicas, Crisóstomo Álvarez 722, CP 4000, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argenna
*Corresponding authors; E-mail G. A. R.: gisellerodriguez@csnat.unt.edu.ar; E-mail C. A. V. A.: ceciliaveggianiaybar@csnat.unt.edu.ar
2015 — Florida Entomologist — Volume 98, No. 4 1241
Seasonal oviposion acvity of Aedes aegyp (Diptera:
Culicidae) in San Miguel de Tucumán, northwestern
Argenna
Giselle A. Rodríguez1,2,*, Cecilia A. Veggiani Aybar1,2,*, Guillermo L. Claps1,
and Mercedes S. Lizarralde de Grosso1,2
Aedes aegyp (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is known as an ecient vec-
tor of dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses (PAHO 2011).
This domesc urban mosquito shares an important connecon with
humans because the immature stages develop in water storage con-
tainers that are used in both domesc and peri-domesc habitats
(Juliano & Lounibos 2005). In 1986, the re-infestaon of Argenna by
Ae. aegyp occurred in the northern provinces and later aained its
current distribuon, which includes the north, center and south of the
country with the southernmost record from Patagonia (Almirón 2002;
Grech et al. 2012; Diez et al. 2014). In 1991, the vector was found in
some urban areas of Tucumán, and in 2009, a dengue epidemic re-
sulted in the rst autochthonous cases in the province (Augier 2000;
Ramirez et al. 2013).
In tropical and subtropical regions, the seasonal distribuon of
mosquito vectors typically follows precipitaon paerns, whereas in
temperate regions, populaon size is regulated by the duraon and
intensity of winter, precipitaon levels, and temperature (Rossi &
Almirón 2004). Studies in Argenna have shown that oviposion pat-
terns of Ae. aegyp correlate with temperature, humidity, and precipi-
taon (Domínguez et al. 2000; Micieli & Campos 2003; Vezzani et al.
2004; Stein et al. 2005; Micieli et al. 2006); for Tucumán, this relaon-
ship has not been established. The aim of our study therefore was to
observe the relave abundance and seasonal paerns of oviposion
by Ae. aegyp in San Miguel de Tucumán.
The study was conducted from Sep 2012 to Jun 2013 in 5 neighbor-
hoods: Oeste II (26°48'S, 65°15'W), El Bosque (26°48'S, 65°13'W), Ciu-
dadela (26°49'S, W 65°13'W), Norte (26°49'S, 65°11'W), and Modelo
(26°48'S, 65°14'W). All neighborhoods were located in San Miguel de
Tucumán, Tucumán Province (Fig. 1). Oviposion by Ae. aegyp was
monitored weekly by placing 8 ovitraps at each sampling site (n = 40
traps). The abundance and percentage of total eggs oviposited (for all
sites for that sampling week) was determined for each sampling site
and these data examined for correlaon(s) with temperature, precipi-
taon level, and other climac variables.
We collected 9,476 eggs in San Miguel de Tucumán with the great-
est abundance at Ciudadela followed by El Bosque, Oeste II, Modelo,
and Norte. The main peak of egg abundance was in summer (Dec-Jan-
Mar) and was followed by secondary peaks of smaller scale in spring
(Nov) and autumn (Apr). The rst eggs were observed in ovitraps in late
Oct 2012 and the last in mid-May 2013. Oviposion acvity decreased
towards autumn (May) and ceased with mean daily temperatures of
approximately 15 °C; no eggs were collected in winter (Jun). Pearson’s
correlaon coecient revealed signicant associaons between ovi-
posion acvity and temperature (r = 0.77; P < 0.008) and precipitaon
level (r = 0.76; P < 0.010) in Ciudadela, and with temperature (r = 0.63;
P < 0.049) in Oeste II (Fig. 2).
Although Ae. aegyp has previously been reported from Tucumán
(Augier 1998), this is the rst report of the oviposion paerns for this
species in an epidemic area of the province. Other studies in Argenna
have reported oviposion paerns similar to those observed in our
study. For example, Micieli & Campos (2003) detected oviposion ac-
vity in Salta Province throughout the year, with peaks of abundance
in Mar that correlated with precipitaon levels. Stein et al. (2005) ob-
served oviposion acvity for Ae. aegyp from Oct to Jun in Chaco,
which also correlated with the ming and amounts of precipitaon.
In Córdoba and Buenos Aires, oviposion by Ae. aegyp was observed
from Oct/Nov to May/Jun, with peaks of acvity associated with pre-
cipitaon levels and temperature (Campos & Maciá 1996; Domínguez
et al. 2000; Vezzani et al. 2004; Micieli et al. 2006).
Human acvity could be a factor that aects the abundance of
Ae. aegyp in Ciudadela and El Bosque. It is known that water-lled
containers, improperly maintained swimming pools, unmanaged veg-
etaon, and socio-economic factors favor proliferaon of Ae. aegyp.
Carbajo et al. (2006) reported the ready adaptaon of this vector spe-
cies to urban areas. Gürtler et al. (2009) and Fisher & Schweigmann
(2010) noted the eects of vegetaon, shade condions, improperly
maintained swimming pools, and housing and waste management in
areas with high human densies as factors that maintain high infesta-
on levels of mosquito vectors, including Ae. aegyp.
Our results show the presence of oviposion acvity by Ae. ae-
gyp in Tucumán and provide informaon that may be useful to future
surveillance eorts targeted at Ae. aegyp. In this regard, it is impor-
tant also to monitor changes in human density and acvity in endemic
areas, especially during mes of high Ae. aegyp density when the
potenal for disease transmission may lead to a repeon of the 2009
dengue outbreak in Tucumán.
We are grateful to the families Rodríguez, Angele, Cano, and
Veggiani, to Alvaro Galbán and Andrea Saracho, residents of the houses

1242 2015 — Florida Entomologist — Volume 98, No. 4
Fig. 2. Seasonal paerns of oviposion acvity by Aedes aegyp, including temperature and precipitaon in (A) Ciudadela and temperature in (B) Oeste II.
Fig. 1. Aerial photograph of the study area in San Miguel de Tucumán, northwestern Argenna.

Scienc Notes 1243
where ovitraps where placed. We thank Andrés Angele, Maximiliano
Rodríguez, Miguel Pomares, and Gabriel Herrera for their support in
the eld work. Also thanks to Soa Nanni and Lucia Krapovickas for the
help in translang the manuscript.
Summary
Aedes aegyp (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) has recolonized many areas
of Argenna. The purpose of this study was to determine the seasonal
paerns of oviposion acvity for this mosquito vector and the as-
sociaon between this factor and climate in an urban area (Tucumán
Province) with a history of dengue transmission. We collected 9,476
eggs by ovitraps in San Miguel de Tucumán with the highest abundance
of eggs observed in the 2 neighborhoods Ciudadela and El Bosque.
Peak oviposion acvity by Ae. aegyp occurred in the summer. The
number of eggs laid was posively correlated with temperature and
precipitaon levels.
Key Words: emerging tropical disease; arbovirus; ovitrap; Aedes
(Stegomyia) aegyp
Sumario
Aedes aegyp (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) ha recolonizando diversas
áreas de la Argenna. El objevo de este estudio fue determinar los
patrones estacionales de la acvidad de oviposición para este mos-
quito vector, y la asociación entre este factor y el clima en un área
urbana (Provincia de Tucumán) con antecedentes de transmisión de
dengue. 9.476 huevos fueron recolectados con ovitrampas en San
Miguel de Tucumán, con la mayor abundancia de huevos en los bar-
rios Ciudadela y el Bosque. Picos de acvidad de oviposición de Ae.
aegyp ocurrieron en el verano. El número de huevos puestos fue
correlacionado posivamente con la temperatura y los niveles de
precipitación.
Palabras Clave: enfermedades tropicales emergentes; arbovirus;
ovitrampas; Aedes (Stegomyia) aegyp
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