COLONIZATION OF ROCK HOLES BY AEDES-ALBOPICTUS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED-STATES

Aedes albopictus was collected from water-holding rock holes along 3 s treams in Georgia and 1 in South Carolina. To compare the occurrence o f Ae. albopictus and Aedes atropalpus, rock holes were sampled for imm ature Aedes at 2 sites where there were numerous rock holes harboring mosquitoes. At 1 of these sites, tree holes and various types of artif icial containers were also sampled for immature Aedes. At both sites, immature Ae. albopictus occurred in rock holes much less frequently th an the rock-pool specialist, Aedes atropalpus. Moreover, the distribut ion of Ae. albopictus was limited to rock holes in less flood prone lo cations, whereas Ae. atropalpus was often a common mosquito even in ro ck holes that were among the most susceptible to flooding by rising st ream levels. By contrast, Ae. albopictus was frequently found in the s amples from tree holes and artificial containers. Thus, it appears tha t riverine rock holes that are flooded frequently may be, at best, mar ginal habitats for Ae. albopictus.