Productive Container Types for Aedes aegypti Immatures in Mérida, México

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 644 - 650
• Main Authors: García-Rejón, Julián E., López-Uribe, Mildred P., Loroño-Pino, María Alba, Farfán-Ale, José Arturo, Najera-Vazquez, Maria Del Rosario, Lozano-Fuentes, Saul, Beaty, Barry J., Eisen, Lars
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lanham, MD Entomological Society of America 01-05-2011; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aedes - growth & development; Aedes - physiology; Aedes aegypti; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; containers; Fresh Water; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; immatures; Larva - physiology; larvae; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; Mexico; monitoring; mosquito control; Mosquito Control - methods; Mosquitoes; México; Population Density; productive container types; Pupa - physiology; Refuse Disposal; Seasons; surveys; VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES, SURVEILLANCE, PREVENTION; Vectors. Intermediate hosts; Central America; Mexico; America; Mexico, Yucatan, Merida; Container; productive container types; Arthropoda; Insecta; Culicidae; Parasite; Mexico; Aedes aegypti; Invertebrata; Vector; Diptera; immatures
• ISSN: 0022-2585; 1938-2928; 0022-2585
• DOI: 10.1603/ME10253

During 2007–2010, we examined which container types in Mérida, México, are most productive for Aedes aegypti (L.) immatures. Surveys for mosquito immatures followed routine surveillance methodology and container type classifications used by Servicios de Salud de Yucatán. Our main findings were that 1) small and larger discarded containers that serve no particular purpose and therefore can be removed from the environment contribute strongly to larval and pupal production in Mérida, and 2) the importance of different container types can vary among sets of residential premises as well as between dry and wet periods. These results may help to guide future implementation in Mérida of control efforts that target the most productive container types for Ae. aegypti immatures. Furthermore, if the Patio Limpio cleanup campaign that currently is ongoing in Mérida proves successful in removing discarded containers as important immature development sites, then we should see dramatic changes in the most productive container types in the future as the mosquito is forced to switch to other container types, which perhaps also will be easier to include in highly targeted mosquito control interventions.