It should have been aegypti

By Dr. Panduka Wijeyaratne Chairman Tropical & Environmental Disease and Health Associates (TEDHA)

With regard to the picture that appeared with the article on chikungunya in The Sunday Times of October 29, I wish to point out that although the Aedes species transmits both dengue and chikungunya, it is Aedes aegypti that is the proven primary vector. A. albopictus is the secondary vector (if at all) and breeds and bites somewhat differently than aegypti.

Aedes aegypti

Albopictus, the picture of which was carried as that of aegypti breeds mostly in tree holes and rural environments and bites more frequently in outdoor settings while aegypti is prevalent in urban environments and breeds in containers, tyres, gutters etc and bites more frequently in indoor settings.

Aedes albopictus

Albopictus is also the Asian mosquito that has entered into the North American situation causing potential for dengue on that continent as well.

Note: The Sunday Times regrets that due to a technical error the picture of the Aedes albopictus mosquito was published instead of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.