EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE IMMATURE DEVELOPMENT OF AEDES ALBOPICTUS SKUSE

Temperature is often identified as the main environmental factor affecting the growth of mosquito population. It is important to study the effect of temperature on the life parameters of Aedes albopictus in the local environment using the local strain, in order to understand more on the biology of the mosquito which will directly affect the transmission of viruses such as dengue to human. In this study, we examined the effect of constant temperatures (15 degrees C to 40 degrees C) on the developmental period of two local Ae. albopictus strains using environmental chambers. Based on the developmental data it was determined that increase in temperature reduced the developmental period of the mosquito except for the 1st instar. In addition, the mosquito was able to survive at a higher temperature, which at 40 degrees C the mosquito was able to complete development up to the 3rd in star, indicating ability to survive at the high temperature. This finding provided valuable baseline information on the effects of global warming in Malaysia due to climate change on the bionomics of Ae. albopictus.