Revisiting Houston and Memphis: the background histories behind the discovery of the infestation by Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the United States and their significance in the contemporary research.

ABSTRACT

The discovery of Aedes albopictus Skuse infestation in Texas in 1985 and subsequent global spread of this mosquito have spawned a large number of publications worldwide. The unique discovery in this episode was used tire trade as mechanism by which this exotic mosquito was introduced to the United States. While most researchers have focused their attention primarily on recent events and scientific progress, far fewer examined in depth early contributions made in the United States still very much relevant for contemporary discussion and other important subjects associated with its infestation. The first part of this review covers early background histories of research on Ae. albopictus in the institutions in the United States and of introduction of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti to the U.S. territories in the eastern Pacific as well as dengue outbreaks therein. The second part covers evolution of recognition of the importance of tire as breeding site of domesticated or peridomestic dengue vectors and of its transport in the dispersal of these mosquitoes. In the third part, the significance of vector-borne viral disease outbreak potential of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in temperate regions and a variety of problems concerning vector spread and commercial practices learned in the past are reassessed in the context of contemporary research. I further identified as byproducts of this review two potentially important epidemiological mechanisms in the transmission of dengue in temperate regions, increasing tendency of indoor activity of Ae. albopictus and massive human movement associated with unpredictable political development.