Review of the ecology and behaviour of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Western Africa and implications for vector control

Abstract

Western Africa is vulnerable to arboviral disease transmission, having recently experienced major outbreaks of chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and Zika. However, there have been relatively few studies on the natural history of the two major human arbovirus vectors in this region, <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i>, potentially limiting the implementation of effective vector control. We systematically searched for and reviewed relevant studies on the behaviour and ecology of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i> in Western Africa, published over the last 40 years. We identified 73 relevant studies, over half of which were conducted in Nigeria, Senegal, or Côte d'Ivoire. Most studies investigated the ecology of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i>, exploring the impact of seasonality and land cover on mosquito populations and identifying aquatic habitats. This review highlights the adaptation of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> to urban environments and its invasive potential, and the year-round maintenance of <i>Ae. aegypti</i> populations in water storage containers. However, important gaps were identified in the literature on the behaviour of both species, particularly <i>Ae. albopictus</i>. In Western Africa, <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Ae. albopictus</i> appear to be mainly anthropophilic and to bite predominantly during the day, but further research is needed to confirm this to inform planning of effective vector control strategies. We discuss the public health implications of these findings and comment on the suitability of existing and novel options for control in Western Africa.