Interspecific larval competition between Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in northern Virginia.

Journal of Medical Entomology
Jennifer S ArmisteadL P Lounibos

Abstract

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes japonicus (Theobald) are two of the most recent and widespread invasive mosquito species to have become established in the United States. The two species co-occur in water-filled artificial containers, where crowding and limiting resources are likely to promote inter- or intraspecific larval competition. The performance of northern Virginia populations of Ae. japonicus and Ae. albopictus competing as larvae under field conditions was evaluated. Per capita rates of population increase for each species were estimated, and the effects of species composition and larval density were determined. In water-containing cups provided with oak leaves, Ae. albopictus larvae exhibited a competitive advantage over Ae. japonicus as a consequence of higher survivorship, shorter developmental time, and a significantly higher estimated population growth rate under conditions of interspecific competition. Intraspecific competition constrained population performance of Ae. albopictus significantly more than competition with Ae. japonicus. In the context of the Lotka-Volterra model of competition, these findings suggest competitive exclusion of Ae. japonicus in those habitats where this species co-occurs with Ae. a...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 9, 2014·Annual Review of Entomology·Michael G Kaufman, Dina M Fonseca
May 11, 2012·Ecotoxicology·Saskia KnillmannMatthias Liess
Aug 18, 2012·Journal of Medical Entomology·Kristen Bartlett-HealyDaniel Strickman
Jun 15, 2011·Journal of Medical Entomology·Banugopan KesavarajuRandy Gaugler

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