Population dynamics and breeding preference of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus attributing to dengue threat in Kelaniya medical officer of health area in Sri Lanka

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the two species of dengue vector mosquitoes in Sri Lanka. Indoor and outdoor distribution of these species, their population dynamics and breeding preference are important factors determining the dengue transmission. Gampaha district in Sri Lanka reported to have frequent dengue epidemics from recent past, hence this study was conducted. Ovitrap surveillance was conducted to determine the vector species distribution in indoor and outdoor in Kelaniya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area of the Gampaha district. Larvae were reared until emergence of adults in the laboratory to identify species morphologically. Breeding preference of vector mosquitoes were carried out by physically observing the presence of mosquito larvae in water accumulated  receptacles in  the area. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were reported to distribute throughout Kelaniya MOH area as a mixed population. Ae. albopictus is the most abundant species both indoor and outdoor in Kelaniya MOH area compared to Ae. aegypti. Weather factors, rain days and wind positively correlated with Aedes population. High risk areas were identified as Kiribathgoda and Hunupitiya in this study.