Laboratory study on larval competition between two related mosquito species: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus and Aedes (Stegomyia) cretinus.

Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Aedes cretinus are closely related mosquito species with similar morphological and bio-ecological characteristics. These species have been detected in specific areas of Athens, Greece, with Ae. albopictus developing significantly higher population densities than the native mosquito Ae. cretinus. In a laboratory factorial experimental design, we investigated the potential of interspecific and intraspecific competition between larvae of these species under various food and population density conditions. Duration of larval development, survival rate from the first larval instar until adulthood and the wing length of females were measured. When these two species developed on their own, larvae developed faster and the females were larger at high food provision, indicating intraspecific competition. When the two species developed in the same environment and food provision was low, Ae. albopictus outcompeted Ae. cretinus. In particular, the larval developmental time when these species competed with each other was 1.3 to 2.4 days shorter for Ae. albopictus and 0.9 to 1.4 days longer for Ae. cretinus, compared with single species development. Interspecific competition resulted to larger Ae. albopictus females at limited food availability and low density of individuals. Our findings indicate that Ae. albopictus is a superior competitor to Ae. cretinus, primarily at limited larval food resources, and this may account for the expansion of Ae. albopictus and the limited presence of Ae. cretinus in areas of Athens, Greece, where these related species co-exist.
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