Spatial distribution of Aedes mosquitoes with special attention to bionomics of Aedes albopictus subpopulations collected from various parts of Odisha.

cidae) mosquitoes is strongly associated with the epidemiology of arboviral diseases transmitted by them. Risk factors for emergence of these diseases are continued urbanization, industrialization and transport development, all of which contribute to the maintenance and spread of major Aedes vectors; Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopictus)1–2. Before any attempt is made to employ vector control measures, the density and biological attributes of Aedes vectors circulating in the region must be revealed. Vector density is presently evaluated using surveillance techniques based on larval indices to determine risk and to guide mosquito control activities3. However, recently pupal indices [pupae per person (PPP) and pupae per house (PPH)] are often used to assess vector density as these represent true mosquito productivity4-5. Therefore, entomological surveys targeting the most productive containers that contribute maximum pupae can rapidly alleviate the vector density thereby reducing the force of transmission. Genetic differences have been observed among different subpopulations of Aedes mosquitoes throughout molecular marker studies, which are also linked to variability in vectorial competence among different subpopulations6–7. Different subpopulations of Aedes species show different responses in terms of biological behaviour, resistance to insecticides like temephos, host preference, vectorial abilities, etc which can be attributed to many biotic and abiotic elements and circumstances8. Hence, it is crucial to compare the behavioural attributes of geographically separated subpopulations of major Aedes vectors. The recent emergence of chikungunya and dengue in Odisha state of India has warranted the need to explore the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes proliferating in Odisha9-12. The present study explores the spatial distribution of Aedes species in Odisha, along with revealing the bionomics of Ae. albopictus, the major arboviral vector in Odisha, based on replicate surveys in dry and wet seasons from 2010 to 20129-12. The study was conducted in four distinct physiogeographical regions of Odisha; northern plateau, central tableland, coastal plains and eastern ghats (Fig. 1). Aedes species were collected from July to November (rainy and post-rainy seasons), and February to June (dry season) in arboviral affected areas (based upon medical records, Govt. of Odisha) of each district from 2010 to 2012. Households were selected by random walk method and data recorded according to house types (e.g. clustered houses, scattered houses, flats, huts/mud houses) and container types. Adult mosquitoes were collected using battery operated aspirators in the houses surveyed. All water containing indoor and outdoor containers were thoroughly searched for the presence of Aedes pupae, which were J Vector Borne Dis 52, March 2015, pp. 104–107