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Effects of interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus on their life history traits

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Abstract

Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, which are the major vectors of dengue and yellow fever, respectively, could be managed in an effective way by targeting their immature stages. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus on their fitness and biology. This experiment consisted of three treatments: Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus together (interspecific competition treatment abbreviated as In-Aa and In-Cq), only Ae. aegypti (Aa), and only Cx. quinquefasciatus (Cq). Larval development was significantly slower in In-Aa as compared to Aa and that of In-Cq compared with Cq. The pupal weight of In-Aa (2.25 mg) was significantly lower as compared to Aa (2.45 mg) while there was no difference in pupal weight between In-Cq (2.55 mg) and Cq (2.37 mg). Fecundity of In-Aa females was significantly lower than Aa females but no difference was found between In-Cq and Cq. The hatching percentage of In-Aa (52.65) compared with Aa (67.83) and In-Cq (67.17) compared with Cq (71.30) was similar. Importantly, the intrinsic rate as well as biotic potential in co-habitating insects was significantly lower than their respective non-co-habitants. Therefore, it could be concluded that co-occurrence of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus has a strong potential to induce negative impact on their life history traits due to interspecific competition.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are highly grateful to Michael S Wolfin, Postdoctoral Scholar, Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA, for the critical review of the manuscript to improve English language.

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Correspondence to Sarfraz Ali Shad or Muhammad Binyameen.

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Ahmad, D., Sumra, M.W., Shah, R.M. et al. Effects of interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus on their life history traits. Int J Trop Insect Sci 42, 629–635 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00582-9

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