COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF Aedes aegypti AND Aedes albopictus (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

*Corresponding author e-mail: tamara@ioc.fiocruz.br Introduction: The mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two important vectors of dengue virus. In Brazil, Ae. aegypti plays a crucial role in dengue transmission whereas Ae. albopictus is still considered a potential vector, despite its important role in Southeast Asia. Methods: In this study, we compared the activity patterns of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the laboratory in light-dark and constant dark conditions. We also tested the effect of insemination and blood-feeding. The activity pattern of both mosquito species was studied using a modified version of the Drosophila Activity Monitor (TriKinetics). Results and conclusion: In LD12:12, females of both species show a bimodal activity pattern with a peak after lights-on and a second more pronounced peak in the end of the photophase. However, Ae. albopictus presents more nocturnal activity than Ae. aegypti . In constant darkness, the morning peak disappears in both species and Ae. aegypti shows a shorter free running period than Ae. albopictus . Blood-feeding significantly decreases female activity in both species. Publication History Article published online: 16 June 2026 © 2009. Brazilian Sleep Academy. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. Rua Rego Freitas, 175, loja 1, República, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01220-010, Brazil