title: The hidden world of Asian tiger mosquitoes: immature Aedes albopictus (Skuse) dominate in rainwater corrugated extension spouts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary sources of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in its exotic range in North America are artificial containers in backyards, which vary widely in accessibility. In this study we examined their prevalence in two container types that are difficult to inspect: catch basins and corrugated extension spouts (CES), the latter used to divert rainwater in downspouts away from house foundations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted larval and pupal surveys in catch basins, CES and open containers such as buckets and plant saucers in three urban locations in Mercer County, New Jersey, USA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that Ae. albopictus were rare in catch basins but prevalent in CES, and were often the only species collected in CES. Specific characteristics of the CES were not significantly associated with the presence or number of Ae. albopictus in them, but those longer and closer to the ground were significantly more likely to contain water, and therefore mosquitoes. During peak season (July-August), the abundance of immature Ae. albopictus was significantly higher in CES than open containers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that CES are an important source of Ae. albopictus in our region and propose that effective control strategies should be implemented to minimize mosquito populations from these cryptic habitats.
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Mercer County Mosquito Control, 300 Scotch Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA iunlu@mercercounty.org.
authors.forename: Isik
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Unlu
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Mercer County Mosquito Control, 300 Scotch Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, 2020 North Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116, USA.
authors.forename: Ary
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faraji
authors.affiliation: Mercer County Mosquito Control, 300 Scotch Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Indelicato
authors.affiliation: Center for Vector Biology, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, 180 Jones Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
authors.forename: Dina M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D006798:Housing / Q000639:trends; D007303:Insect Vectors; D007814:Larva; D009032:Mosquito Control; D009515:New Jersey; D011679:Pupa; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014481:United States; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Aedes albopictus; Container-inhabiting mosquito; Cryptic habitat; Larval survey; New Jersey