Aedes Aegyptiandaedes Albopictus in Urban Green Areas and Houses in Two Mountain Towns: Ouro Preto and Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract:
The present study tests the hypothesis that Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus respond differently to urban green areas and houses nearby in the towns of Ouro Preto, at 1100 metres and of Mariana, lower, at 700 metres above sea level. We investigate the prediction that Aedes populations may have been growing recently due to climate warming of montane ecosystems. We sampled immatures by use of ovitraps. Preliminary results showed 2.243 immatures of the both species. Aedes albopictus was the most abundant species in the green areas. Both species were correlated positively for abundance, thus reflecting no temporal or spatial niche specificity separation. Ae. albopictus was more abundant than Ae. aegypti in green areas. Both species were more abundant in the green area of Mariana. Records of Aedes in Ouro Preto are recent, and the difference in abundance between low and high altitude may reflect a recent and gradual occupancy of high altitude habitats by these vectors. A prediction is to find endemic dengue cases in a couple of years.