AEDES-ALBOPICTUS AND AEDES-AEGYPTI ON THE ISLAND OF LA REUNION

Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are both found on the island. The f ormer, being the probable vector of dengue on the island, is highly an thropophilic. It breeds in domestic environments as well as in natural breeding sites. The latter has a more restricted distribution and is never anthropophilic. Larvae of Ae, aegypti are only found in natural habitats, always associated with Ae. albopictus, but in small proporti ons. Such an ecology and behaviour for the typicus form of Ae. aegypti are abnormal. Several hypothetic explanations are proposed. Dengue pr evention should be based solely on Ae. albopictus control.