Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) a mosquito species to be kept under surveillance in Cuba

Abstract

Millions of people suffer from infections transmitted by arthropod vectors; among them, culicidae are undoubtedly the most important hygienic-sanitary ones, because they constitute one of the priority health problems in almost all tropical and subtropical regions. The objective of the research consisted in analyzing the development dynamics of mosquito populations of the Aedes albopictus species in Villa Clara province, Cuba during the period 2016-2020. The research covered the 13 municipalities of Villa Clara. An observational, descriptive, ecological, retrospective and analytical statistical (by decision tree/exploratory data analysis) study was conducted. The study was based on the collection of positive samples/number of outbreaks reported in the 13 municipalities of the province, in the different months of the period analyzed, for the mosquito species Ae. albopictus, where each sample point corresponded to the number of specimens collected in one of the years covered, with one of the months of the year in question (12 months), the 13 municipalities, and one type of reservoir (9 types of reservoirs). This resulted in 7 020 observations, which constitutes the sample size. The low presence of the species under analysis was observed, with very low population densities; on the other hand, the variables with the greatest impact on population dynamics were municipality and type of reservoir, with emphasis on the surveillance system and the low tank, as the preferred oviposition and breeding sites for this species. It is concluded that Ae. Albopictus has a high adaptive capacity and high ecological plasticity, with a marked correspondence between the ecology and habitat of the species under analysis.