Abstract

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) has an opportunistic feeding behavior with preference for mammals in different ecological landscapes. However, little is known of the host-seeking behavior and how host selection affects Ae. albopictus. Previously, we found the sex and physiological stage of rats [Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout), strain Wistar] affected the attraction of Ae. albopictus females. Here, we studied whether blood from different sexes and physiological stages of rats affected the reproduction of Ae. albopictus females in laboratory. The gonotrophic cycle of female mosquitoes fed blood from immature female rats was shorter than those fed blood from mature rats. Time to egg hatching ranged from 1.85 to 1.89 days. Mean time of larval development of Ae. albopictus varied from 8.44 to 8.50 days, and the mean time of duration of the pupal stage of Ae. albopictus varied from 2.01 to 2.07 days depending on the type of blood source the females were fed. The mean total time for development of immature Ae. albopictus was 10.48 to 10.50 days. Female mosquitoes laid more eggs, the percentage of eggs that hatched was greater, and emerged adults had a female-biased sex ratio when fed blood from immature female rats compared to those fed other rat sources of blood. Results of the study are relevant, considering Ae. albopictus might be a potential vector of zoonotic and human arboviruses.

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