Introduction and Establishment of<i>Aedes albopictus</i>(Diptera: Culicidae) in Managua, Nicaragua

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (L.) is the main vector of dengue virus and more recently chikungunya virus in Latin America. However, the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is expanding its global range and increasing its role in transmission of these diseases. In this report, we suggest that Ae. albopictus was introduced to the Department of Managua, Nicaragua, in 2010 via two independent routes and demonstrate its dissemination and establishment in urban neighborhoods by 2012. The coexistence of two competent vector species could alter the epidemiology of dengue and chikungunya as well as indicate the need for new strategies aimed at vector control. RESUMEN Aedes aegypti (L.) es el vector principal del virus de dengue y mas recientemente del virus chikungunya an Ame rica Latina. Sin embargo, el mosquito tigre asia tico Aedes albopictus esta ampliando su rango global, y su rol en la transmisio n de estas enfermedades esta aumentando. En este informe, se describe la introduccio n de Aedes albopictus en el Departamento de Managua, Nicaragua, en 2010 via dos rutas independientes y se documenta su diseminacio n y establecimiento en los barrios urbanos en 2012. La co-existencia de dos especies de vectores competentes podr a alterar la epidemiolog a de dengue y chikungunya y sugiere la necesidad de nuevas estrategias de control del vector.