Oviposition patterns of Dasyhelea necrophila (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and Clogmia albipunctata (Diptera: Psychodidae) in temperate Argentina: contributions for the environmentally responsible control of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), the dengue vector

Abstract

Global biodiversity is declining due to insecticide use against mosquito vectors. Mechanical removal of Aedes aegypti (Diptera:; Culicidae) eggs from the container walls emerges as an eco-friendly health safeguard. The aim of this research was to identify which other dipterans have the same ovisposition strategy than A. aegypti and could be affected by this container cleaning technique. Through annual monitoring with ovitraps, coexisting insects that laid their eggs as A. aegypti were identified, and the seasonal oviposition patterns of those species were assessed. Different urbanization levels and oviposition substrates were included in the study design. From late spring to mid-fall, dipteran eggs of Dasyhelea necrophila (Ceratopogonidae) and Clogmia albipunctata (Psychodidae) were found. C. albipunctata it has been marked as mechanical vector of pathogens associated with nosocomial infections, while no species of Dasyhelea is of medical importance. D. necrophila had a shorter oviposition season (November to February) compared to C. albipunctata and A. aegypti (November to March). Both C. albipunctata and D. necrophila consistently exhibited aggregated egg-laying behavior. Urban conditions and water-saturated fabric substrates led to higher egg proportions for all species. Implementing ovicidal control measures throughout the entire reproductive season targeting the two species of public health importance, C. albipunctata and A. aegypti, it appears challenging to prevent the removal of the non-target species D. necrophila. Our results suggest that knowledge about the identity of dipterans breeding in artificial containers and their oviposition patterns are essential knowledge for thinking about environmentally responsible control treatments that cover the largest number of target species.