DENSITY-DEPENDENCE IN LARVAL AEDES-ALBOPICTUS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE)

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is expanding its distribution in the United S tates and els where, and a better understanding of its population regu lation is needed. A field experiment under seminatural conditions dete rmined that density had a negative effect and food level a positive ef fect on immature survival, duration of development, and female size at emergence. A summary index (r') indicated that population growth also depended on density and food availability. These data can be used to estimate the relationships needed in the development of mathematical m odels for Ae. albopictus.