Date of Award

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology; College of Arts & Sciences

First Advisor

Christopher Binckley

Abstract

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes, including Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) and Asian bush mosquitoes (Aedes japonicus), oviposit eggs in natural and artificial sites containing stagnant water. Aedes species exhibit versatility in novel ecological environments, including flexibility in oviposition site selection and overall habitat conditions, demonstrating their continued pertinence in human society. I examined the effects of the biopesticide BTI and Aedes larvae on oviposition habitat selection in Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus mosquitoes by observing the number of eggs oviposited. A total of 6552 and 1362 eggs were collected in experiments one and two, respectively. Females consistently avoided BTI-containing treatments compared to treatments lacking the toxicant. Furthermore, results suggest that Aedes oviposition may be influenced by conspecific larvae, as more eggs were oviposited in treatments with Aedes larvae than those without conspecifics. Although previous studies are ambiguous about the role of BTI in oviposition site determination, BTI appears to be a less viable biocontrol agent as females avoid it when laying eggs since it induces larval mortality. The impact of conspecifics is a novel method to potentially lure oviposition to locations containing biopesticides that requires further investigation. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that impact Aedes oviposition habitat selection is critical to discovering targeted treatments that entice oviposition and promote larval mortality. As prevalent vectors of several debilitating illnesses and diseases, managing invasive mosquito populations will reduce their negative implications on global public health.

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Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) and Mosquito Larvae on Invasive Mosquito Egg-Laying Behavior

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes, including Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) and Asian bush mosquitoes (Aedes japonicus), oviposit eggs in natural and artificial sites containing stagnant water. Aedes species exhibit versatility in novel ecological environments, including flexibility in oviposition site selection and overall habitat conditions, demonstrating their continued pertinence in human society. I examined the effects of the biopesticide BTI and Aedes larvae on oviposition habitat selection in Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus mosquitoes by observing the number of eggs oviposited. A total of 6552 and 1362 eggs were collected in experiments one and two, respectively. Females consistently avoided BTI-containing treatments compared to treatments lacking the toxicant. Furthermore, results suggest that Aedes oviposition may be influenced by conspecific larvae, as more eggs were oviposited in treatments with Aedes larvae than those without conspecifics. Although previous studies are ambiguous about the role of BTI in oviposition site determination, BTI appears to be a less viable biocontrol agent as females avoid it when laying eggs since it induces larval mortality. The impact of conspecifics is a novel method to potentially lure oviposition to locations containing biopesticides that requires further investigation. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that impact Aedes oviposition habitat selection is critical to discovering targeted treatments that entice oviposition and promote larval mortality. As prevalent vectors of several debilitating illnesses and diseases, managing invasive mosquito populations will reduce their negative implications on global public health.