Abstract
Background: In this laboratory study we measured the trophic performances of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae (Diptera: Culicidae), both being vectors of the dengue fever, chikungunya and zika virus in the world. Methods: Depending on the quantities of plant material contained in the breeding sites, the bioassays enabled to assess the times it took for 50% of imaginal emergence to occur (IEt50). They also enabled to determine the amounts of plant material needed for 50% of adult emergence (IE50).Results: Water containing 3.3 g of plant material per liter allowed 50% of Ae. albopictus adults to emerge within 8 days (IEt50), against 60 days at 0.5g/liter. As for Ae. aegypti, the IEt50 took 8 days at 3.3g/l against 29 days at 1.7g/l. The IE50 also revealed that 0.61g of plant material were needed for a 50% of adult emergence of Ae. albopictus. To reach the same survival rate among Ae. aegypti, the larvae must grow in an environment twice as rich in food supply. Conclusion: This research work has revealed that the Ae. albopictus larvae can develop in water collections where the shortage of organic material hinders or compromises the development and survival of Ae. aegypti. The outstanding trophic performances of Ae. albopictus would thus partly account for the invasive character of Ae. albopictus, as well as the dying out of its competitor Ae. aegypti in the regions of the world shared by both species.