Investigating the association between weather variables and Aedes albopictus abundance in Windsor, Ontario

Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) is notorious for transmitting several pathogens of public health importance. The mosquito has also displayed a great capacity for dispersal. Within the last 30 years, the mosquito has been documented on every continent except for Antarctica. The species was first noted in Canada in 2016 in Windsor-Essex, Ontario. Since then, Ae. albopictus has been found every subsequent year in active surveillance trapping (2017-2023). Despite the mosquito's establishment, there has been little research into how the Canadian environment is associated with its abundance. This study presents the first investigation into how weather variables such as precipitation, temperature, relative humidity and daylength impacted adult and larval Ae. albopictus abundance in Windsor, Ontario. We found weather variables 1 and 2 weeks prior to trapping to be associated with mosquito abundance but with differing thresholds. This suggests that Ae. albopictus has a specific niche within Ontario, Canada, and has adapted to the temperate climate. It is important now to further document the expansion of Aedes mosquito species into Canada as the climate continues to change.