Baseline data on Aedes aegypti populations in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Baseline field studies were conducted from April 1987 to July 1988 on Aedes aegypti in Santo Domingo, an endemic area for dengue fever. Premise, container and Breteau indices were measured in one treated area and 2 nearby control areas. These indices averaged 69.6, 46.3 and 142.1, respectively. The principal larval habitats of Ae. aegypti were 208-liter (55-gal) concrete-lined drums. The estimated daily adult production was approximately 60 per house. Adult mosquito populations were monitored using oviposition traps and by sweep net collections. There was no correlation between adult abundance and the larval indices. Monitoring the natural adult densities was more efficient for evaluating the impact of ULV malathion application than the use of standard bioassay procedures.