Entomo-molecular surveillance of Aedes breeding sites reveals discarded tyres as the key breeding sites during the intermittent periods of arboviral outbreaks, Eastern India

Aedes vectors have rapidly spread to regions without any history of arboviral outbreaks in recent time through various modes and due to their ability to rear in manmade containers. Because Aedes immature species can consistently grow in small-domesticated breeding spots, it is important to perform surveillance during the intermittent periods of outbreaks for vector control and management. Detailed entomo-molecular surveillance was carried during the intermittent periods of dengue affected areas of Odisha State of Eastern India from 2021-2022. Indoor and outdoor breeding sites of the Aedes vector were investigated and water containing immature stages were collected, followed by Aedes species assessment using morphological tools along with allele specific PCR using 18S-rRNA region. Aedes albopictus was found to be the main vector through morpho-molecular investigations. Discarded tyres (58%) were the preferred breeding spots, exhibiting significantly high fecundity (p < 0.05, ANOVA test) among all breeding sites. Therefore, monitoring and targeting the intermittent breeding spots will assist in vector control management.