Population dynamics of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Contributions to the prevention of arbovirosis in Villa Clara, Cuba

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases constitute one of the main health problems worldwide. The objective of the research consisted of analyzing the development dynamics of adult mosquito populations of the species Ae. aegypti in Villa Clara province, Cuba during the period 2016-2020. The research covered the 13 municipalities of Villa Clara. An observational, descriptive, ecological, retrospective and analytical-statistical (by decision tree/exploratory data analysis) study was conducted. The study was based on the collection of positive samples/number of outbreaks reported in the 13 municipalities of the province, in the different months of the period analyzed, for the mosquito species Ae. aegypti, where each sample point corresponded to the number of specimens collected in one of the years covered, with one of the months of the year in question (12 months), the 13 municipalities, and 9 types of reservoirs. This resulted in 7 020 observations, which constitutes the sample size. The presence of the species under analysis was found in the 13 municipalities of the province, with abundant population densities; on the other hand, the variables with the greatest incidence in the population dynamics were: municipality and type of reservoir, with emphasis on the low tank, as the preferred oviposition and breeding site for this species. It is concluded that Ae. aegypti has a high capacity for adaptation and high ecological plasticity, with a marked correspondence between the ecology and habitat of the species under analysis.