Oviposition behavior of wild yellow fever vector mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an Atlantic Forest fragment, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Although there are many studies on the control of mosquito vectors of the yellow fever virus (YFV) in tropical forests, there are still few ecological studies regarding abiotic factors effect on these mosquitoes. Here we characterize these effects on oviposition behavior, abundance, and diversity of mosquito vectors of YFV. The study was conducted in Corrego da Luz Municipal Park, in Casimiro de Abreu, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, from July 2018 to December 2019. Ovitraps were placed at ground level and 3 m high. The data were tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by an independent sample analysis, the Mann-Whitney test. The Shannon Diversity Index was used to evaluate the abundance of mosquitos' eggs collected at both ground level and 3 m high. We highlight the presence of Haemagogus janthinomys and Hg. leucocelaenus, primary YFV vectors in forest areas. The abundance of Hg. leucocelaenus (63%), Hg. janthinomys (75%), and Aedes terrens (58%) was higher at the height of 3 m, while Ae. albopictus (52%) was higher at ground level. Aedes albopictus was positively correlated with temperature. Culicidae monitoring is essential for assessing the YFV transmission cycle in Atlantic forest fragments.

Automated summary

This study characterized the effects of abiotic factors on the oviposition behavior, abundance, and diversity of mosquito vectors of the yellow fever virus (YFV) in a tropical forest area in Brazil. The study highlighted the importance of Haemagogus janthinomys and Hg. leucocelaenus as primary YFV vectors in forest areas. Different mosquito species showed varying abundance at different heights, while Aedes albopictus was positively correlated with temperature. Monitoring Culicidae is essential for assessing the YFV transmission cycle in Atlantic forest fragments.