During a dengue outbreak investigation, an entomological team is asked why Aedes aegypti control must target indoor and peri-domestic containers specifically during daytime hours. The behaviour of Aedes aegypti that dictates this strategy is:

• A It breeds in polluted standing water and bites at night
• B It breeds exclusively in tree holes and bites indoors only after midnight
• C It breeds in running streams and bites at dusk
• D It breeds in clean stored water in man-made containers and bites during the day ✓

Explanation

Aedes aegypti is a domestic, container-breeding species that prefers clean stagnating water in man-made receptacles such as tyres, flower vases and storage drums. It is a day-biting mosquito with peaks of biting activity in early morning and late afternoon. This combination makes source reduction of household containers and larvicide application, rather than night-time bed nets, the core control measures.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.