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Stegomyia albopicta skuse, 1894 (Diptera: Culicidae) on Luštica Peninsula 2011-2012 (Montenegro)

Pajović I. (University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Petrić D. (Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad)
Bellini R. (Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G. Nicoli”, Crevalcore, Italy)
Dragićević Snežana (Natural History Museum of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Pajović Ljiljana (University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty, Podgorica, Montenegro)

Luštica Peninsula in Montenegro was chosen as a study area to provide data about the distribution and population density of Stegomyia albopicta. This research is a preliminary step in the possible application of the sterile male technique (SIT). Fifty-four ovitraps were placed at 9 sites in August-September 2011-2012 to check peak seasonal activity. All of the nine sites were positive for St. albopicta in 2011; while in 2012, two of the nine places were negative. The most continuous presence of adults was registered at the locality of Tići, where they were collected throughout the entire sampling period. The highest number of eggs per trap (674) and in total was collected at Krašići in September 2011. At the localities Mrkovi and Begovići with a rare incidence of adults, the smallest number of eggs was counted. The two-year-long study showed that a well-established population of St. albopicta is persistently present on the peninsula, pointing to the possibility of testing the potential of SIT strategy in suppressing populations.

Keywords: Stegomyia albopicta, Aedes albopictus, oviposition traps, Luštica peninsula, SIT, Montenegro