Aedes vigilax

Last updated

Aedes vigilax
Aedes vigilax.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Culicidae
Genus: Aedes
Subgenus: Ochlerotatus
Species:
A. vigilax
Binomial name
Aedes vigilax
(Skuse, 1889)

Aedes vigilax (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), commonly known as the northern salt marsh mosquito, is a species of mosquito in the Indomalayan region and Australasian region. [1] They are a major vector of arboviruses like Barmah Forest and Ross River. [2] A. vigilax can be identified by its salt and pepper colouration, which is sharply contrasted by the broad white stripes along its abdomen and tarsi. [3] The eggs of A. vigilax can remain drought resistant for up to 12 months and hatching can occur when eggs are saturated by subsequent tides or rain. [1] A. vigilax is represented by a panmictic population. [2]

Contents

Distribution

A. vigilax's geographic distribution is Australia, Fiji, Indonesia (including Java, Flores, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Sumatra including the Ketulauan Riouw Archipelago, Timor), Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, New Hebrides, Philippines, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam. [3] They are mostly common in saltmarsh and mangrove intertidal wetlands in Australia. [4] A. vigilax uses different mechanisms of mosquito dispersal, which include appetential flight or migration and non-appetential flight (passive dispersal) from the breeding sites. [2] Individual A. vigilax adults can fly over 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) as they disperse across an area. [5]

Climate and Oviposition sites

A. vigilax population is abundant in the hotter summer months. [6] A. vigilax prefers lower tidal areas and higher salinity levels for its oviposition sites. [6] They also prefer samphire dominant vegetation habitats. [6] They exploit overbank pools such as the floodplain or extra-channel pools amongst mangroves and samphires. [7] They also oviposit mainly in or on damp soil underneath Sarcocornia and Sporobolus . [8] The eggs are preferably laid immediately adjacent to standing water such as edges of pools and drains, tiny cracks at the base of marine couch stems or elevated areas within depressions as it is ideal for both ovipositing and larval habitat. [4] [9] The highest A. vigilax larval densities occur in drainage areas from September to January and in the early dry season in May, which indicates that it is the most productive breeding site. [1]

Vector of Diseases

A. vigilax is a major vector for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus; the two arboviruses that constitute the majority of arbovirus infections in Australia. [10] Larval nutrition affects the ability of adult mosquitoes to become infected with and transmit arboviruses. [11] These viruses can cause polyarthritis, fever and rash. [2] When the body of A. vigilax was infected with the viruses, there was a 93.6 +- 2.8% chance of transmission. [11] A. vigilax lacks infection barriers, which is probably one reason for the high vector status of A.vigilax in eastern and northern Australia. [11] Once the Barmah Forest virus reaches the salivary glands of the mosquitoes, they are highly efficient at transmitting them. [12] No correlation was found between the Ross River virus competence of A. vigilax and the nutritional level. [11]

A. vigilax uses vertebrate hosts. [11] Documented hosts include people, dogs, birds, brushtail possums, cats and flying foxes. [3]

Control Measures

Increases in mosquito numbers may lead to an associated increase in mosquito-borne disease, particularly the Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. [6] The sudden increase in the population is unpredictable as it depends on a mixture of weather, environmental, social and geographic factors. [6] Extended larval and adult surveillance can be done by local residents and increased applications of pesticides and larval growth inhibitors can be administered by health departments. [6] To reduce the egg-laying capacity of A. vigilax in succeedingly flooded areas, early seasonal hatches of A. vigilax need to be diligently controlled. [10] Repetitive control is required in the Schoenoplectus / mangrove vegetation category in the mid-dry season to early wet season after each inundation. Control in the tide-affected reticulate areas is only required in the late dry season when tides are high enough to reach those areas. [10] Oviposition sites and larval sites need to be administered closely.

To improve the control of mosquito spread, research aimed at developing biological and chemical controls and determining evidence and sources of resistance to insecticides need to be supported. [5] Additionally, the impacts of increasing land-use and environmental change must also be carefully studied and addressed. [5] For better results, existing mosquito control programmes must be reviewed regularly, and utilize a greater number of control strategies that are appropriately resourced.

See Also

Video of A. vigilax taking a blood meal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX9LjJ1vewA

Related Research Articles

<i>Aedes albopictus</i> Species of mosquito

Aedes albopictus, from the mosquito (Culicidae) family, also known as the (Asian) tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is a mosquito native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. In the past few centuries, however, this species has spread to many countries through the transport of goods and international travel. It is characterized by the white bands on its legs and body.

Ross River virus (RRV) is a small encapsulated single-strand RNA Alphavirus endemic to Australia, Papua New Guinea and other islands in the South Pacific. It is responsible for a type of mosquito-borne, non-lethal but extremely debilitating tropical disease known as Ross River fever, previously termed "epidemic polyarthritis". There is no known cure, and it can last in the host's system for up to 20 years. The virus is suspected to be enzootic in populations of various native Australian mammals, and has been found on occasion in horses.

Ross River fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by infection with the Ross River virus. The illness is typically characterised by flu like symptoms combined with polyarthritis and a rash. The virus is endemic to mainland Australia and Tasmania, the island of New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia and several other islands in the South Pacific. The illness is Queensland's most prolific mosquito-borne disease.

<i>Aedes aegypti</i> Species of mosquito

Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax. This mosquito originated in Africa, but is now found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical entomology</span> Study of insect impacts on human health

The discipline of medical entomology, or public health entomology, and also veterinary entomology is focused upon insects and arthropods that impact human health. Veterinary entomology is included in this category, because many animal diseases can "jump species" and become a human health threat, for example, bovine encephalitis. Medical entomology also includes scientific research on the behavior, ecology, and epidemiology of arthropod disease vectors, and involves a tremendous outreach to the public, including local and state officials and other stake holders in the interest of public safety.

<i>Culex restuans</i> Species of fly

Culex restuans is a species of mosquito known to occur in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Bahamas. It is a disease vector for St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. In 2013 West Nile Virus positive specimens were collected in Southern California.

Ochlerotatus is a genus of mosquito. Until 2000, it was ranked as a subgenus of Aedes, but after Reinert's work, the clade was upgraded to the level of a genus. This change has resulted in the renaming of many subgenus species, and many aedini-related taxa are undergoing taxonomic revisions. Some authors are still using traditional taxonomic names in their publications.

<i>Culex annulirostris</i> Species of fly

Culex annulirostris, commonly known as the common banded mosquito, is an insect native to Australia, Fiji, Micronesia, the Philippines and Indonesia. It is regarded as a serious pest species throughout its range.

<i>Aedes camptorhynchus</i> Species of fly

Aedes camptorhynchus, the southern saltmarsh mosquito, is responsible for transmitting the Ross River virus, which causes Ross River fever.

<i>Aedes pembaensis</i> Species of fly

Aedes pembaensis is a mosquito.

Aedes australis is a brackish water mosquito species from the subgenus Halaedes. It is native to Australia. It was first found in New Zealand in 1961 and is now present in the southern half of the South Island.

Aedes africanus is a species of mosquito that is found on the continent of Africa with the exclusion of Madagascar. Aedes aegypti and Aedes africanus are the two main yellow fever vector species in Zambia. Aedes africanus is mainly found in tropical forests not near wetlands.

Aedes mediovittatus, the "Caribbean treehole mosquito," was first described in 1906 as Stegomyia mediovittata by Daniel W. Coquillett.

<i>Aedes koreicus</i> Species of fly

Aedes koreicus, the Korean bush mosquito is a species of mosquito in the genus Aedes. The adults are relatively large with a black and white pattern on their legs and other body parts. Clear longitudinal lines on the dorsal part of the thorax distinguish it from Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The species bears close morphological, ecological, and genetic similarity to the Asian bush mosquito, Aedes japonicus, but can be physically distinguished by a pale basal band on the hind tarsomere.

<i>Aedes japonicus</i> Species of fly

Aedes japonicus, commonly known as the Asian bush mosquito or the Asian rock pool mosquito, was first described by Theobald in 1901 from Tokyo, Japan. They are competent arbovirus vectors known to transmit the West Nile virus as well as Japanese and St. Louis encephalitis. They are listed as an invasive species by the Global Invasive Species Database.

Aedes (Stegomyia) krombeini is a species complex of zoophilic mosquito belonging to the Scutellaria group of the genus Aedes. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.

Aedes (Neomelaniconion) lineatopennis is a species complex of zoophilic mosquito belonging to the genus Aedes. It is found in Oriental Regions such as India, Sri Lanka, and also in Eastern & Southern Africa, Nigeria, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Australia. Female has a wing length of 4 to 5mm. Head scales golden, curved and narrow. Male with tentacles over long beak, distal with wool.

<i>Aedes taeniorhynchus</i> Species of fly

Aedes taeniorhynchus, or the black salt marsh mosquito, is a mosquito in the family Culicidae. It is a carrier for encephalitic viruses including Venezuelan equine encephalitis and can transmit Dirofilaria immitis. It resides in the Americas and is known to bite mammals, reptiles, and birds. Like other mosquitoes, Ae. taeniorhynchus adults survive on a combination diet of blood and sugar, with females generally requiring a blood meal before laying eggs.

<i>Aedes scapularis</i> Species of insect

Aedes scapularis is a species of mosquito primarily found in neo-tropical regions of the Americas.

<i>Aedes notoscriptus</i> Species of mosquito

Aedes notoscriptus is a species of mosquito found in Australia, New Zealand, the southwestern Pacific islands, and Southern California.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Jacups, S.P.; Kurucz, N.; Whelan, P.I.; Carter, J.M. (2009). "A comparison of Aedes vigilax larval population densities and associated vegetation categories in a coastal wetland, Northern Territory, Australia". Journal of Vector Ecology. 34: 311–316.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Chapman, H.F.; Hughes, J. M.; Jennings, C.; Kay, B. H.; Ritchie, S. A. (2002). "Population structure and dispersal of the saltmarsh mosquito Aedes vigilax in Queensland, Australia". Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 13: 423–430.
  3. 1 2 3 "Aedes vigilax". Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit. 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Knight, J.; Griffin, L.; Dale, P.; Phinn, S. (2012). "Oviposition and larval habitat preferences of the saltwater mosquito, Aedes vigilax, in a subtropical mangrove forest in Queensland, Australia". Journal of Insect Science. 12: 1–11.
  5. 1 2 3 Madzokere, E. T; Hallgren, W.; Sahin, O.; Webster, J. A.; Webb, C. E.; Mackey, B.; Herrero, L.J. (2020). "Integrating statistical and mechanistic approaches with biotic and environmental variables improves model predictions of the impact of climate and land-use changes on future mosquito-vector abundance, diversity and distributions in Australia". Parasites & vectors. 13: 1–13.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Staples, K.; Neville, P.J.; Richardson, S.; Oosthuizen, J. (2024). "Development of a regional climate change model for Aedes vigilax and Aedes camptorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Perth, Western Australia". Bulletin of Entomological Research. 114: 8–21.
  7. ↑ Kokkinn, M.J.; Duval, D.J.; Williams, C.R. (2009). "Modelling the ecology of the coastal mosquitoes Aedes vigilax and Aedes camptorhynchus at Port Pirie, South Australia". Medical and veterinary entomology. 23: 85–91.
  8. ↑ Gislason, G.M.; Russell, R.C. (1997). "Oviposition sites of the saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae), at Homebush Bay, Sydney, NSW - A preliminary investigation". Australian journal of entomology. 36: 97–100.
  9. ↑ Ritchie, S.A. (1994). "Spatial stability of Aedes vigilax (Diptera: Culicidae) eggshells in Southeastern Queensland salt marshes". Journal of Medical Entomology. 31: 920–922.
  10. 1 2 3 Kurucz, N; Whelan, P.I; Carter, J.M; Jacups, S.P (2009). "A geospatial evaluation of Aedes vigilax larval control efforts across a coastal wetland, Northern Territory, Australia". Journal of Vector Ecology. 34: 317–323.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Jennings, C.D.; Kay, B.H. (1999). "Dissemination barriers to Ross River virus in Aedes vigilax and the effects of larval nutrition on their expression". Medical and veterinary entomology. 13: 431–438.
  12. ↑ Boyd, A. M; Kay, B. H. (1999). "Experimental Infection and Transmission of Barmah Forest Virus by Aedes vigilax (Diptera: Culicidae)". Journal of Medical Entomology. 36: 186–189.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.