[The role of the Aedes aegypti vector in the epidemiology of dengue in Mexico]. / El papel del vector Aedes aegypti en la epidemiología del dengue en México.

The role of Aedes aegypti (Lineo) in the epidemiology of dengue fever in Mexico is herein discussed based on the vectorial capacity model. Comments on the advantages and disadvantages of each model component at the time of field determinations are also presented. Emphasis is made on the impact of sampling and method bias on the results of vectorial capacity studies. The paper also addresses the need to increase vector biology knowledge as an input for epidemiological work to explain and predict dengue fever outbreaks. Comments on potential entomological variables not considered by the quantitative model are included. Finally, we elaborate on the introduction of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in Mexico as a new risk factor and on its implications for the understanding of dengue fever transmission in Mexico.

Effects of sublethal dosages of Abate upon adult fecundity and longevity of Aedes aegypti.

Sublethal concentrations of Abate (temephos) were applied to F2 generation Aedes aegypti larvae, and fecundity and longevity were recorded in the emerged adults. Females exposed to Abate oviposited only in the first 2 gonotrophic cycles, meanwhile control females laid a few eggs after taking the third blood meal. Dosages of 0.009, 0.013 and 0.015 mg/liter of Abate decreased the mean egg production per gonotrophic cycle 37, 47 and 69%, respectively, in relation to the control. Females that were exposed as larvae to Abate lived longer than the control females.