Database of the impact of temperature on development of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Cambodia

Background: Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are primary vectors of dengue virus in Cambodia, distributed throughout the country. Climate change is predicted to affect the diversity and density of these two species, but there is a lack of information on how temperature affects their biology. This study investigates the impact of temperature on the survival, development, and longevity of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, from populations collected in Phnom Penh.

Methods: Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus population were collected in Phnom Penh. The experiment was conducted in a climatic chamber with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 40°C, with a 5°C incrementation between each treatment. Bionomic parameters were measured from hatching rate of F2 eggs until number of F3 eggs, in triplicate for each temperature treatment.

Results: Temperature significantly influenced all life-history traits of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Egg hatching peaked at 20°C, while larval and pupal survival declined sharply at 35–40°C. Larvae of both species could not survive beyond the first stage at 40°C. In contrast, egg hatching rates were the highest at 25°C for Ae. aegypti (97.97%) and 20°C for Ae. albopictus (90.63%). During immature stages, development time decreased at higher temperature (35°C), but mortality was increased. Female longevity peaked at 25°C for Ae. aegypti (66.7 days) and at 20°C for Ae. albopictus (22.6 days), with males having significantly shorter lifespans. In addition, the optimal temperature of female survival is predicted higher in Ae. aegypti than in Ae. albopictus, 27.1°C and 24.5°C, respectively. Wing length increased at lower temperatures, with Ae. aegypti consistently larger than Ae. albopictus at 15°C and 35°C. Blood-feeding rates were highest at 30°C for Ae. aegypti (61.0%) and at 25°C for Ae. albopictus (52.5%).

Conclusion: Aedes albopictus appears better adapted to lower temperatures compared to Ae. aegypti. Warmer temperatures accelerate mosquito development but also increased mortality and reduced adult longevity, which could influence their ability to transmit pathogens. These findings highlight the critical role of temperature in mosquito biology and emphasize the potential impact of climate change on dengue transmission dynamics in the future.