Distributional records for Aedes mosquitoes from the U.S. Air Force ovitrapping program-1992

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Medical Entomology
• Vector Surveillance

Background:

• Container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes are significant vectors of arboviruses.
• Monitoring their distribution is crucial for public health risk assessment.
• Previous surveillance data for these species at military installations may be limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the presence and distribution of container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes at U.S. Air Force installations in North America during 1992.
• To identify new geographic records for specific Aedes species.

Main Methods:

• Ovitrapping was employed as the primary sampling method.
• Surveys were conducted across 28 U.S. Air Force installations.
• Collected mosquito eggs were identified to species level.

Main Results:

• Aedes albopictus was detected at 19 of the 28 installations surveyed.
• New county-level records for Aedes albopictus were established in Tom Green County, Texas, and Lowndes County, Georgia.
• Aedes aegypti was found at 6 installations, and Aedes triseriatus at 13 installations.

Conclusions:

• Container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes, including the invasive Aedes albopictus, were widespread across surveyed U.S. Air Force installations in 1992.
• The findings highlight the need for ongoing vector surveillance and control efforts at military facilities.
• The establishment of new county records for Aedes albopictus indicates its continued expansion in North America.