Survival of overwintering aedes albopictus eggs under natural conditions in North-Central Florida

Abstract

Aedes albopictus mosquitoes overwinter as eggs in north-central Florida. Knowledge of this species' overwintering survival rate is of great interest to local mosquito control districts. In this study, fieldcollected Ae. albopictus eggs were exposed to natural conditions during winter 2016-17 in Gainesville, FL, to determine the overwintering survival rate. Individual strips of germination paper containing eggs of this species were collected from ovitraps in November 2016 then later clipped to the inner edge of empty flowerpots and placed in the Department of Public Works compound, City of Gainesville, in December. Egg strips that remained outdoors were later brought back to the laboratory and hatched in late March 2017. Significant differences were found among the 5 ambient environmental exposure methods (configurations) in terms of egg survival rate, egg collapsed rate, and egg unaccounted rate, whereas no significant difference was observed on the egg intact rate. Egg strips stored in flowerpots with the drainage hole sealed had the highest survival rate (18.3%), whereas eggs stored in an open covered area had the least survival rate (2.4%). The effect of different storage conditions on the survivorship of overwintering Ae. albopictus eggs in north-central Florida is discussed.