Estimation of population size and dispersal of Aedes polynesiensis on Toamaro motu, French Polynesia.

ABSTRACT

Mark-release-recapture methods were used to compare Aedes polynesiensis Marks adult numbers and dispersal between dry and wet seasons in a closed population on a small island (motu) in French Polynesia. Females were more than three times more common during wet (December 2008) than dry (May 2007) season samplings although high numbers of vectors were collected during both seasons. Lincoln-Petersen estimates for Ae. polynesiensis females on the motu were 6,055 per hectare for the dry season and 18,860 per hectare for the wet season. Marked females dispersed rapidly to all parts of the motu and survived until recaptures on days 1-5 after release. Males were not adequately sampled using human sentinels or Biogent Sentinel traps.