Dynamic life table model for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): analysis of the literature and model development

The container-inhabiting mosquito simulation model (CIMSiM) is a weather-driven, dynamic life table simulation model of Aedes aegypti (L.). It is designed to provide a framework for related models of similar mosquitoes which inhibit artificial and natural containers. CIMSiM is an attempt to provide a mechanistic, comprehensive, and dynamic accounting of the multitude of relationships known to play a role in the life history of these mosquitoes. Development rates of eggs, larvae, pupae, and the gonotrophic cycle are based on temperature using an enzyme kinetics approach. Larval weight gain and food depletion are based on the differential equations of Gilpin & McClelland compensated for temperature. Survivals are a function of weather, habitat, and other factors. The heterogeneity of the larval habitat is depicted by modeling the immature cohorts within up to nine different containers, each of which represents an important type of mosquito-producing container in the field. The model provides estimates of the age-specific density of each life stage within a representative 1-ha area. CIMSiM is interactive and runs on IBM-compatible personal computers. The user specifies a region of the world of interest; the model responds with lists of countries and associated cities where historical data on weather, larval habitat, and human densities are available. Each location is tied to an environmental file containing a description of the significant mosquito-producing containers in the area and their characteristics. In addition to weather and environmental information, CIMSiM uses biological files that include species-specific values for each of the parameters used in the model. Within CIMSiM, it is possible to create new environmental and biological files or modify existing ones to allow simulations to be tailored to particular locations or to parameter sensitivity studies. The model also may be used to evaluate any number and combination of standard and novel control methods.