Artificial container mosquitoes and first record of Aedes aegypti in the islands of the Paraná Lower Delta, Argentina

• Mosquito community in artificial containers of a major wetland was investigated.
• Dengue vector was registered for the first time in the region.
• Habitat characteristics associated with mosquito occurrence were identified.

Mosquitoes in artificial containers include Aedes aegypti and the Culex pipiens complex, both recognized worldwide as vectors of diseases. The goal of this study was to characterize mosquito communities in water-filled artificial containers in the islands of one of the major temperate wetlands in South America, and to assess whether A. aegypti is present in the area. Five domestic areas located in the insular Tigre District (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) were visited monthly between November 2011 and May 2012. A total of 1013 artificial containers (half of them with water) were inspected for mosquito immatures. 3359 specimens corresponding to seven species were collected in 88 containers. A. aegypti was recorded for the first time in this wetland, and in all land use categories examined from February to May. Among the remaining six species, only Culex dolosus and C. pipiens were highly abundant. 88% of the mosquito positive containers were buckets, dustbins and boats, whereas highly available bottles did not act as mosquito breeding habitats; the key breeding container was different for each land use. The Container Index showed differences among land uses, materials, water capacity and volume, and insolation levels. Generalized Linear Mixed Models suggested that the probability of finding mosquitoes was higher for containers located in dumps and recreational areas, made of resin/fiberglass, presenting intermediate water volumes, and not in use if partially or totally shaded but in use for sunlit containers. Recommendations for mosquito prevention and control in the islands are proposed.

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