GEOGRAPHIC-VARIATION OF CUTICULAR HYDROCARBONS AMONG 14 POPULATIONS OF AEDES-ALBOPICTUS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE)

Cuticular hydrocarbons were used to differentiate among fourteen Aedes albopictus (Skuse) populations from Asia, Brazil, and the United Stat es. Forty cuticular hydrocarbon peaks from each North American populat ion were previously identified using gas chromatography electron impac t-mass spectrometry. The same cuticular hydrocarbon peaks were identif ied in the Asian and Brazilian populations. Samples from three populat ions were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography chemical ionizat ion mass spectrometry. Total carbon number and branch points were foun d for four peaks which occurred at equivalent chain lengths >38.65. Qu antitative analyses were performed by flame ionization gas chromatogra phy. All populations contained the same cuticular hydrocarbons but sho wed differences in percentage composition. Nine of the 14 populations were separable by discriminant analysis of hydrocarbon components. Ove rlap of the 95% CIs occurred between the two Brazilian populations and among three North American populations. Individual specimens from thr ee North American populations were used as a test group in the discrim inant analysis. Correct classification of these individuals by populat ion ranged from 80 to 100%.