Efeito da disponibilidade, qualidade e diversidade de recurso na escolha de habitat de oviposição em Aedes aegypti

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of urbanization and the availability of resources on the choice of habitat for Aedes aegypti oviposition. The study, carried out at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), used ovitraps adapted in three areas with different levels of urbanization, revealing that urbanization intensifies oviposition. The results indicate that highly urbanized areas, with a greater human presence and an abundance of organic matter, are more attractive for oviposition. The availability of resources also proved crucial in the choice of oviposition site. The research also highlights that anthropogenic influence shapes the response of Ae. aegypti to the quality of resources, with the skip oviposition strategy being predominant in areas with low urbanization and the preference for the Spirulina resource in areas with medium urbanization. In highly urbanized areas, the combination of Chlorella and Spirulina resulted in the highest oviposition rate, indicating an adaptation of the mosquito to this environment. These results highlight the need for more personalized control strategies, recognizing the nuances in the response of Ae. aegypti to specific environmental conditions.