Temperature effects on the dynamics of Aedes albopictus (Diptera : Culicidae) populations in the laboratory

We investigated how constant temperatures of 22, 24, and 26 degreesC experi enced across the full life cycle affected the dynamics of caged populations of Aedes albopictus (Skuse). All cages were equipped with plastic beakers that served as sites for oviposition and larval development. We measured th e per capita daily mortality and emergence rates of the adults and size of adult females, and estimated tile intrinsic rate of increase (r) and asympt otic density (K) for each adult population. populations at 26 degreesC had greater intrinsic rates of increase and lower asymptotic densities than pop ulations at 22 and 24 degreesC. Populations at high temperatures initially had greater daily. per capita emergence rates, and steeper. declines in per capita emergence rate as density increased over tire course of the experim ent, There was no temperature effect on the size of adult females nor on th e per capita daily mortality rate of adults. Results indicated that populat ions of Ae. albopictus occurring in regions with relatively high summer tem peratures are likely to have hiyh rates of population growth with populatio ns of adults peaking early in the season. These populations mn)l attain rel atively. low peak densities of adults. Populations occurring in regions wit h low summer temperatures are likely to experience slow, steady production of adults throughout the season with population size peaking later in the s eason, and may attain higher peal, densities of adults. Nigh temperature co nditions, associated with climate change, may increase the rate of spread o f Ae, albopictus by increasing rates of increase and by. enhancing coloniza tion due to rapid population growth.