Effect of extended egg quiescence and elevation in carbon dioxide on life history traits of Aedes aegypti

Elevation in carbon dioxide is a global threat, driving anthropogenic climate change. How disease-vectoring mosquitoes respond to these changes is currently largely unknown. The dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, has adapted to urban environments, which are more affected by climatic changes, especially CO₂. Aedes aegypti lay eggs around ephemeral water bodies that are prone to desiccation, with the pharate larvae possessing the ability to resist the desiccation, during which the permeability across the chorion is compromised. The study investigates the combined effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ and extended egg quiescence duration on life-history traits of immature and adult stages, including development rate, survival and size. Furthermore, we analysed the metabolic reserves of newly emerged females and whether mosquitoes display compensatory feeding in response to restricted reserves. Extended egg quiescence duration, combined with elevated CO₂ level, differentially affected developmental duration and larval survival, with carry-over effects on adult metabolic reserves, size and survival. The interaction of elevated CO₂ conditions and egg quiescence period differentially impact life-history traits of Ae. aegypti. The findings of this study provide evidential support for assertion that changing climatic conditions significantly impact survival and population dynamics, as well as feeding propensity, which directly affect the vectorial capacity of Ae. aegypti.