Colonization and Development of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus) in The Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia Purpurea)

Abstract

We report the expansion of the invasive container mosquito, Aedes albopictus, into pitchers of the carnivorous pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, in southeastern Virginia. The community of aquatic Dipteran larvae commonly associated within S. purpurea pitchers was not present at our research site, creating an unoccupied rearing habitat. We monitored mosquito presence and development within pitchers through two growing seasons. Oviposition traps placed near pitchers confirmed the abundance of gravid A. albopictus in the study area. Females oviposited in both newly opened and in senescing pitchers and larvae matured to adulthood in S. purpurea. Successful development of an exotic mosquito species within unoccupied pitchers of S. purpurea reinforces the hypothesis that invasive species may invade natural communities and occupy vacant niches.