Atmospheric control of Aedes aegypti populations in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and its variability

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the main urban vector responsible for the tra nsmission of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is located at the southern end of the world distribution of the species. The population abundance of Ae. aegypti is mainly regulated by environmental factors. We calculated the potential number of times that a female could lay eggs during its mean life expectancy, based on potentia l egg production and daily meteorological records. The model considers thos e variables implying physical hazard to the survival of Ae. aegypti, mosqui to flying activity and oviposition. The results, obtained after calibration and validation of the model with field observations, show significant corr elation (P<0.001) for different lags depending on the life stage. From thes e results, more favorable atmospheric conditions for Ae. aegypti reproducti on (linked to the urban climatic change) can be observed. The climatic vari ability in the last decade resembles conditions at the end of 19th century.