Observations on the dispersal and survival of a population of Aedes lineatopennis (Ludlow) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kenya

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Abstract
Aedes lineatopennis (Ludlow) is thought to be a vector and maintenance host for Rift Valley fever virus in Kenya and perhaps other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Immature examples are often found in tremendous numbers in restricted, low lying habitats known as dambos. A dambo in Thika District, Central Province, Kenya, was artificially flooded to simulate the conditions occurring when this area naturally floods and induces the hatch of A. lineatopennis eggs. Observations on the dispersion and survival of the emerging adult population were made at a time when no other adult A. lineatopennis populations existed. More than 10% (87 511) of the estimated A. lineatopennis adults that emerged from the flooded dambo were collected during a 45-day period. The overall mean distance travelled by males in the 45 days after emergence was only 0·07 km. Female dispersal was interrupted but generally was with the prevailing wind. The overall mean distance travelled by females in the 44 days after emergence was 0·15 km. Mortality of both males and females was independent of age. The high daily survival rate of males (0·83) was not significantly different from that of the females (0·85).