Oviposition Activity and Ecological Patterns of Medically Important Culicidae in an Agroforestry System in the Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Understanding mosquito diversity in natural environments under anthropogenic influence or undergoing vegetation recovery is essential for comprehending potential behavioral changes and adaptations in the activity patterns of these populations. Within this context, this study aimed to investigate the oviposition activity, seasonal abundance, hatching dynamics, and sex ratio of medically important Culicidae species using ovitraps as an entomological surveillance tool, with special attention to Haemagogus leucocelaenus, Aedes terrens, and Aedes albopictus, and to analyze their distribution within an agroforestry area. The study was conducted at Sítio Terra Boa, a rural property managed under an agroforestry system, in the municipality of Silva Jardim, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between August 2021 and June 2025. Ten ovitraps were installed at a height of approximately 2 m above ground level and randomly distributed around an area cultivated with açaí (Euterpe oleracea) and peach palm (Bactris gasipaes). Collections were conducted monthly, and the paddles were replaced and subsequently sent to the laboratory for analysis. The 47-month study provided valuable data regarding the ecology of these species in an agroforestry environment. Haemagogus leucocelaenus was the dominant species throughout the study, and mosquito abundance peaked during the warmer months, particularly from December to April. The results revealed seasonal fluctuations in populations, species-specific oviposition patterns in response to environmental changes, displacement of sylvatic species such as Hg. leucocelaenus toward anthropized areas, and the expansion of urban vectors such as Ae. albopictus into forest matrices. The higher abundance of Hg. leucocelaenus in the ovitraps suggests that this species may persist in agroforestry areas; however, comparative studies across different landscape types are needed to evaluate its ecological adaptation. The coexistence of Haemagogus and Aedes species within the same forest fragment under anthropogenic interference reinforces the need for continuous entomological surveillance in these environments. These findings contribute to understanding vector ecology in recovering Atlantic Forest environments and provide support for future control programs.