Cocoa pod (Theobroma caco) --a potential breeding habit of Aedes albopictus in dengue-sensitive Kerala State, India
Hiriyan, J.; Tyagi, B.K.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 20(3): 323-325
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 15532938 Document Number: 253097
Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), a potential dengue vector, particularly in the foot-hill areas of the Western Ghat region of Kerala State has been found breeding for the first time in cocoa pods (Theobroma cacao) in India. Breeding in cocoa pods is considered an opportunistic adaptive behavior of the mosquito to maintain density in the absence of common breeding sites, especially latex-collecting cups in rubber plantations, during the monsoon periods. Vector breeding in cocoa pods was observed up to 8 m from the ground, and in both hanging and grounded pods, whose endocarp had been devoured by rodents. Ae. albopictus breeding in cocoa plant is discussed in relation to accentuating disease transmission risk.