An investigation into the influence of leaf species on the growth performance and oviposition preference of Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquitoes) in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Abstract Aedes albopictus is a container breeder which utilizes a wide range of water-holding containers for oviposition. The attraction of the gravid females to the oviposition site is based on several physical, chemical, and biological cues. Hence the primary objective of the study was to determine the individual and combined effects of Swietenia macrophylla, Pterospermum suberifolium, Carallia brachiata, and Azadirachta indica on the oviposition preference, larval mortality, larval duration, pupal duration and fecundity of Ae. albopictus. Microcosms were prepared with senescent leaves of the selected plant species and they were used for the tests. Accordingly, the number of eggs laid in A. indica leaf infusion was the lowest, while C. brachiata and P. suberifolium were the highest. Furthermore, the highest larval mortality, larval and pupal duration and lowest fecundity of the emerged adults were observed in A. indica. The leaf combination A. indica - C. brachiata (ND) showed the highest larval mortality and the lowest fecundity of the emerged adults, while the leaf combination S. macrophylla - A. indica - P. suberifolium (MNW) showed the highest larval and pupal durations. However, it can be postulated that A. indica leaf species hinders the growth performance and oviposition preference of Ae. albopictus.