Journal of Medical Entomology (2007) 44, 984-989

D.L. O'Donnell and P. Armbruster (2007)
Comparison of larval foraging behavior of Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Journal of Medical Entomology 44 (6), 984-989
Abstract: Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) invaded the United States in 1985 and spread rapidly across eastern North America, whereas Aedes japonicus (Theobald) invaded and became established in the United States more recently (1998). The two species may co-occur in container habitats, and they are of potential public health concern as arbovirus vectors. To evaluate ecological differences between Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus, we compared larval foraging behavior of these two species. Based on results from a previous competition experiment, we predicted that Ae. albopictus would be a more active forager than Ae. japonicus. However, Ae. japonicus exhibited greater foraging activity than Ae. albopictus in four of six food environments, including a 'no food' control treatment. Our results, therefore, suggest that more active foraging does not connote superior competitive ability, and competitive interactions between these species may be mediated by factors other than feeding behavior.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Deborah Ladner O'Donnell, Peter Armbruster

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aedes albopictus
	Aedes japonicus