The invasion of urban forest by dengue vectors in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The invasion of a secondary forest within the city of Rio de Janeiro by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus was evaluated from July 1997 to June 1998 through collections of immature stages in ovitraps set at 1 m, 10 m, 100 m, 500 m, and 1,000 m into the forest from houses on the periphery. Both mosquito species were much more abundant close to houses (1-10 m). Aedes aegypti was not collected beyond 100 m, while Ae. albopictus was the most abundant species overall and in ovitraps at all distances from houses. Abundances of Ae. albopictus were significantly correlated with time-lagged rainfall and with abundances of Ae. aegypti. Co-occurrences of Ae. albopictus in traps with Ae. aegypti and Limatus durhami, but not with Culex dolosus, were more likely close to houses. The results suggest that the urban forest is a refuge for both Aedes species, but especially for Ae. albopictus, whose abundance both near houses and in the forest raises concern that this invader may transmit arboviruses to humans that are presently restricted to the sylvan environment.