Field Evaluation of Selected Common Household Containers as Oviposition Attractants of <em>Aedes Albopictus</em> (Diptera: Culicidae

Abstract

Dengue is a fatal arthropod-borne disease that affects humans worldwide. The mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is the secondary vector of dengue in Sri Lanka, however, studies on oviposition preferences of Ae. albopictus is scarce. The objective of the current study was to investigate the oviposition attraction of Aedes albopictus to selected household containers; black colour basins, metal cans, rain gutter parts, curd pots, coconut shells and yoghurt cups. For this, water containers for oviposition were placed in three outdoor shady sites and at three different heights. The mosquito larvae were collected after 5 days. The larvae were reared to adult stage and then they were identified and enumerated. Wing lengths of adult female mosquitoes that developed in different containers were measured. In the meantime, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured in each container. The Ae. albopictus larval density was higher in coconut shells. The maximum mean number of mosquito larvae was observed in the containers at ground level. The oviposition attraction of Ae. albopictus was increased with the aging of coconut shells and old coconut shells were preferred than new coconut shells. Highest TDS level and neutral pH were observed in coconut shells which support the mosquito oviposition. The highest wing lengths were observed in female Ae. albopictus that developed in curd pots, representing higher fecundity. In conclusion, discarded coconut shells and curd pots should be carefully managed as means of eliminating dengue vector mosquito breeding sites.