Aedes aegypti USES WATER HOLDING TREE HOLES AS LARVAL HABITAT IN ORÁN, SALTA PROVINCE

CAROLINA MANGUDO, JUAN P. APARICIO RAQUEL M. GLEISER

Congreso; Segunda Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biología de la República Argentina; 2011

Aedes aegypti L. is the main vector of dengue worldwide. Periodicoutbreaks of dengue are recorded in Argentina, and Salta is one ofthe most affected provinces. Since there are no available vaccines,prevention is based mostly on vector control. Larval habitats ofthis mosquito in South America are mainly artificial containers.Recently larvae and pupae were reported in tree holes in Aguaray,Salta province. Knowledge of the use of natural containers by Ae.aegypti is relevant from an epidemiological and vector control pointof view, and also for a better understanding of biological invasionsbecause it is an exotic species. Trees (1185) in public areas of Oráncity were surveyed between January and April 2011. Tree species,presence and characteristics of tree holes were recorded. Every threeweeks holes were visited, presence and volume of water were recorded,and larvae and pupae were collected with an aspirator. 3.46%of the trees had water holding holes; 73.1% of them had larvae,mostly (98.44%) Ae. aegypti. The average number of larvae (L) perhole was 60 (range 1-578), and 25% of the holes had 50 or morelarvae. Average density was 8 L/10ml (range 0.36-595); density of38% of the positive samples was 5 or more L/10ml. The trees wherelarvae were more frequently found were Delonix regia, Bauhiniasp. and Jacaranda sp. Water holding tree holes should be takeninto account as larval habitat or re-infestation sources during vectorsurveillance and for vector control activities.