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Published on: March 12, 2021
Tree-hole breeding mosquitoes in Israel
Günter C Müller1, Vasiliy D Kravchenko, Amy Junnila
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. guntercmuller@hotmail.com
Summary
Mosquitoes were surveyed in Israeli tree holes, with specialized species found at high altitudes. Aedes albopictus adapted well to tree-hole breeding across various forest types.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Tree holes are crucial microhabitats for mosquito breeding.
- Understanding mosquito distribution in these habitats is vital for public health and ecological studies.
- Israel's diverse woodland ecosystems present unique conditions for arboreal mosquito populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diversity and distribution of tree-hole breeding mosquito species in Israel's principal woodland types.
- To identify specific mosquito species utilizing tree holes for reproduction.
- To correlate mosquito presence with environmental factors such as altitude and precipitation.
Main Methods:
- A survey of approximately 3,000 mature trees across six woodland types in Israel.
- Identification of tree holes retaining water and observation of mosquito breeding activity.
- Species identification of collected mosquito larvae and adults.
- Recording of geographical location (altitude) and environmental conditions (precipitation) for positive breeding sites.
Main Results:
- Only 38 out of 3,000 examined trees contained water-retaining holes suitable for breeding.
- Mosquito breeding was confirmed in 27 of these tree holes.
- Specialized tree-hole breeders, Aedes pulchritarsis and Aedes geniculatus, were found at altitudes above 500 m with high precipitation.
- Aedes albopictus, typically an opportunistic container breeder, demonstrated remarkable adaptation to tree-hole breeding across multiple forest and tree types.
- Culiseta annulata and Culex pipiens were found in tree holes but did not survive to maturity.
Conclusions:
- Tree holes in Israel support a limited number of specialized mosquito breeding species.
- Aedes albopictus exhibits significant adaptability to tree-hole environments, expanding its ecological niche.
- Environmental factors like altitude and precipitation play a role in the distribution of specialized tree-hole mosquitoes.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of Aedes albopictus adaptation to tree holes.
