Breeding site selection and co‐existing patterns of tropical mosquitoes

We investigated the physicochemical properties and the biotic interactions of breeding sites of tropical mosquito species. Field sampling was done in 12 study areas in Sri Lanka covering areas with secondary natural forests and human settlements. A total of 226 breeding sites were investigated to determine the biotic interactions and physiochemical properties of breeding water (pH, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids and Temperature). A total of 80.5% of breeding sites from both habitats were positive for mosquito larvae of seven genera and 24 species. Orthopodomyia flavithorax (297) and Aedes albopictus (295) were dominated in tree holes of Alstonia macrophylla, Vateria copallifera and Artocarpus nobilis. Diversity indices showed that the diversity of mosquitoes is high in wet zone habitats of Sri Lanka compared to dry and intermediate zone habitats. Aedes albopictus coexisted with 11 different mosquito species while it avoided larvae of Culex fuscanus, Cx. uniformis and Tripteroides affinis. Strong positive associations were reported between Ae. albopictus and Ar. subalbatus while larvae of Or. flavithorax mosquitoes were not co‐occurred with the larvae of Ae. vittatus, Ae. aegypti, Cx. sitiens, Ar. subalbatus, Anopheles spp and Tr. affinis. The findings identified the breeding adaptability and tolerance to a wide range of physiochemical properties of tropical mosquito communities. Tropical mosquitoes tolerate a wider range of physiochemical properties (Temperature from 19.8 to 36.8°C, pH between 4.2 and 8.4). Tree holes of Alstonia macrophylla, Vateria copallifera and Artocarpus nobilis are preferred by Orthopodomyia flavithorax and Aedes albopictus. Aedes albopictus mostly coexists with larvae of Armigeres subalbatus and avoids the larvae of Culex fuscanus, Cx uniformis and Tripteroides affinis.