Determination of autogenous behavior of Philippine strains of Aedis Aegypti (Linnaues) and Aedes Albopictus (Skuse)(Diptera: Culicidae)

Dengue incidence in the Philippines is increasing despite the tremendous efforts that have been done to eliminate it. Traditional control methods are being applied to control and manage the population of mosquito vectors and hence the arboviruses transmission. However, these methods and strategies may not be appropriate for the purpose due to the distinct physiology and binomics of the local strains of the two species of dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse). This study followed the standard mosquito rearing procedure, providing optimum conditions for mosquito development. Mosquitoes under treatments were provided access with sugar solution only while those in control cages were allowed to feed on blood. Mating was confirmed by dissecting the female spermathecae and autogenous eggs were counted. Variation in larval diets and its influence on female body size and autogeny were also observed. Results suggest that under optimum conditions in the laboratory, both species are anautogenous. Larval nutrition was found to have direct influence in female mosquito body size and expression of autogeny in Aedes albopictus. Test statistics using Kruskal wallis showed that at treatment 4, Ae albopictus laid significant number of autogenous eggs. In conclusion, Ae. albopictus expression of autogeny is influenced by the nourishment they receive during larval stage