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Using the Fluorescent Dye, Rhodamine B, to Study Mating Competitiveness in Male Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Published on: May 7, 2021
Interspecific Cross-Mating Between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Laboratory Strains: Implication of Population
P Marcela1, A Abu Hassan1, A Hamdan1
11 School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Mating behavior between Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, established colony strains were examined under laboratory conditions (30-cm(3) screened cages) for 5 consecutive days. The effect of selected male densities (30, 20, 10) and female density (20) on the number of swarming, mating pairs, eggs produced, and inseminated females were evaluated. Male densities significantly increased swarming behavior, mating pairs, and egg production of heterospecific females, but female insemination was reduced. Aedes aegypti males mate more readily with heterospecific females than do Ae. albopictus males. The current study suggests that Ae. aegypti males were not species-specific in mating, and if released into the field as practiced in genetically modified mosquito techniques, they may mate with both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus females, hence reducing populations of both species by producing infertile eggs.
Insights
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito mating was studied. Ae. aegypti males readily mate with Ae. albopictus females, potentially reducing populations of both species through infertile eggs.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Vector Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are significant disease vectors.
- Understanding interspecies mating is crucial for vector control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mating behavior between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus under laboratory conditions.
- To evaluate the impact of male mosquito densities on mating success and reproductive output.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments were conducted using screened cages with controlled mosquito densities.
- Mating behavior, egg production, and insemination rates were quantified over five days.
- Different male densities (10, 20, 30) with a constant female density (20) were tested.
Main Results:
- Increased male mosquito densities significantly enhanced swarming and mating pair formation between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
- Heterospecific egg production was elevated, but female insemination rates decreased.
- Aedes aegypti males exhibited a higher propensity to mate with heterospecific females compared to Ae. albopictus males.
Conclusions:
- Aedes aegypti males demonstrate non-specific mating behavior.
- Releasing genetically modified Ae. aegypti males could lead to interspecies mating with Ae. albopictus.
- This interspecies mating may reduce populations of both mosquito species by producing infertile eggs.
