Vol. 6, Issue 6, Part B (2019)

Author(s): Sumodan PK

Abstract: Aedes albopictus is the vector of Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow fever and Zika viruses. It is one of the world’s worst invasive species. Adaptability of the species to a wide range of habitats is believed to contribute to its invasiveness. In recent years this species has been reported to breed in several unconventional breeding habitats related to Agricultural ecosystems. A review of the literature on this aspect has revealed that the first reports in the world on the breeding of Aedes albopictus in Agro-ecosystems were from the South Indian state Kerala. The agriculture crops considered in this review were Coconut, Areca Nut, Rubber, Cocoa and Pineapple. The breeding habitats with Aedes albopictus breeding reported in these crops were primary rachis of shed coconut fronds, shed Areca nut leaf sheaths, latex cups on Rubber trees, Cocoa pods and leaf axils of pineapple.