Effects of Artificial Lights on the Biology of Adult Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes

ABSTRACT

Abstract@#Introduction: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of artificial light exposures on the survivals and life traits of adult Aedes aegypti. Methods: This is an experimental research where triplication of each cage filled with a ratio of 20 male 20 female mosquitoes were exposed under three different light artificial light which are; yellow light, white light and blue light along with three different photoperiod regimes (lightdark) – (14h10h, 12h12h and 8h16h). During this study, life traits data observed were duration of the females to complete a gonotrophic cycle, mean number of days was calculated as well as fecundity rate each cycle was also observed by calculating its number of eggs. Results: In general, gonotrophic cycle of this species is significantly affected by the exposure of the artificial lights where the white light has allowed this species to complete a gonotrophic cycle faster than yellow and blue light with post hoc Tukey’s HSD p = 0.026, however the gonotrophic cycle is found not affected by the different photoperiod regimes. The fecundity of this species is found not to be affected by the artificial light exposure but is affected by the different photoperiod regimes with p = 0.049. Conclusion: In conclusion, artificial light can significantly affect the gonotrophic cycle of Aedes aegypti species while on the other hand, the fecundity of this species is affected by the different photoperiod instead of different artificial light exposure.