Aedes hensilli explained

Aedes hensilli is a mosquito species originally collected in 1945 on Ulithi atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, about 191 km (103 nautical mi) east of Yap State.[1] It is the most abundant and widespread Aedes (Stegomyia) species mosquito in Yap State, the only Aedes (Stegomyia) species on Woleai, and the only species of mosquito present on Eauripik.[2]

The specific epithet recognizes the collector of the type specimens, Dr. George S. Hensill.[1]

Ecology

Larvae of Ae. hensilli develop in empty coconut shells, tree holes, and bamboo, and in artificial containers such as tin cans, discarded drums, barrels, bottles, tires, tarps, and floats; larvae were not found in leaf axils of pandanus trees or in taro plants.[1] Water barrels used to collect rainwater are major contributors to mosquito production due to the high number of larvae and pupae hosted in them.[3]

The adults are active primarily at dusk.[1]

Medical importance

Aedes hensilli is a potential vector of dengue virus[2] and Zika virus[3] and laboratory studies have indicated that it could play a role in transmitting other medically important arbovirus and chikungunya viruses [3]

Notes and References

  1. D. S. Farner, Lieutenant (JG), H(S), USNR. 1945. A New Species of Aedes from the Caroline Islands (Diptera, Culicidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 58 (May 7, 1945): 59-62.
  2. Fritz . C L . Savage . H M . Yolwa . A . Gubler . D J . Vorndam . V . Rutstein . D . Epidemic of dengue-4 virus in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, and implication of Aedes hensilli as an epidemic vector. . The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene . 519–524 . 9574802 . 10.4269/ajtmh.1998.58.519 . 1 April 1998. 58 . 4 .
  3. Ledermann . Jeremy P. . Guillaumot . Laurent . Yug . Lawrence . Saweyog . Steven C. . Tided . Mary . Aedes hensilli as a Potential Vector of Chikungunya and Zika Viruses . PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases . e3188 . 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003188 . free . 9 October 2014. 8 . 10 . 25299181 . 4191940 .