The potential flight capacity of Aedes albopictus

To clarify the flight capacity characteristics of Aedes albopictus ( Ae. albopictus ) adults of different sexes and ages, providing a scientific basis and theoretical support for the formulation of integrated control strategies. Under constant temperature, constant humidity, and a fixed photoperiod, three parameters—flight distance, flight duration, and average flight speed—were systematically measured for male and female adults of a laboratory strain of Ae. albopictus at ages of 1–10, 15, 20, and 25 days using a flight mill tethered-flight technique. The data were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) with a Gamma distribution and log link function, with sex and age as fixed factors and their interaction (sex × age) tested via likelihood ratio tests. Age, sex, and their interaction all exerted significant effects on the cumulative flight distance of Ae. albopictus with females displaying a significantly longer mean cumulative flight distance than males. Age and the sex × age interaction also significantly affected cumulative flight duration, while sex alone did not. Both sex and age significantly affected average flight speed, with no significant sex × age interaction. The flight capacity of Ae. albopictus exhibits distinct age-related and sexual dimorphism, with significant main effects of age and sex as well as a significant age × sex interaction for flight distance and duration, indicating that sexual dimorphism in flight capacity varies dynamically across ages. These patterns are highly consistent with mosquito physiological development and ecological functional differentiation. These findings offer a quantitative basis for predicting the dispersal potential of Ae. albopictus and optimizing control timing and targets, and are of great reference value for the precise prevention and control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever.