DETERMINANT ASPECTS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF Aedes aegypti (LINNAEUS, 1762): A REVIEW

The mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is a primary vector for arboviruses such as yellow fever (YFV), dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV). Considering the significant medical and social impact of arboviruses, effective vector control measures are essential in reducing virus transmission. This review investigates key factors influencing the reproductive success of Ae. aegypti, crucial for understanding how to control its population. From an analysis of 30 articles in international databases, six major categories were identified: copulatory behavior, age and body size, harmonic convergence, locomotor activity, accessory gland products, and hormones. Males of Ae. aegypti display polygamous behavior, whereas females are relatively monogamous. Larger, older males transfer more sperm, enhancing fertilization rates, while harmonic convergence—synchronized wingbeat frequencies between males and females—improves reproductive success and offspring viability. Additionally, accessory gland proteins, particularly seminal proteins, significantly influence female reproductive physiology. Despite the critical role males play in mating and influencing female fertility, research on their contributions remains limited. Understanding these physiological and behavioral mechanisms is essential for developing more targeted vector control strategies, potentially curbing mosquito populations and reducing arbovirus transmission.