Effect of salinity on the oviposition and growth of Ochlerotatus togoi

Abstract

AbstractOchlerotatus togoi is a salt‐tolerant euryhaline mosquito that lays its eggs in rock pools. Although it is a pest that can transmit flaviviruses and filarial worms to humans, ecological studies have not been previously conducted because of its limited habitat. However, rising sea levels have created a more favorable environment for Oc. togoi, increasing the risk of Oc. togoi‐borne diseases. We examined the oviposition and growth rates of Oc. togoi at 0–35 psu to obtain ecological data. It exhibited the highest oviposition preference at 0 psu; however, the hatching rate was highest at 10 psu, the pupation rate was highest at 25 psu, and the emergence rate was highest at 5 psu. Oc. togoi showed the highest rate of growth into adults at 25 psu. The results were assessed using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests (post hoc test: Bonferroni), and a regression equation was generated for the incidence of adult Oc. togoi based on the change in salinity (y = −14.318 + 9.821x; y = adult incidence rate; x = salinity). The oviposition habits and developmental conditions of Oc. togoi were confirmed, and the incidence of Oc. togoi based on changes in sea level and ocean salinity was predicted. The results of this study will be useful for controlling salt‐tolerant vectors and responding to vector‐borne diseases.