Growth rate and oviposition preference of Oc. togoi & Ae. albopictus in salinity stress

<p><em><span>Ochlerotatus togoi</span></em><span><em> </em>is a salt-tolerant euryhaline mosquito that lays its eggs in rock pools. Although it is a pest that transmits flaviviruses and filarial worms to humans, ecological studies have not been actively conducted because of its limited habitat. Rising sea levels have created a favorable environment for <em>Oc. togoi</em> to survive; additionally, the incidence of  <em>Oc. togoi</em>-borne diseases may increase with an increase in population of <em>Oc. togoi</em>. We examined oviposition and growth rates in the range of 0–35 psu to obtain ecological data for <em>Oc. togoi</em>. <em>Ochlerotatus togoi</em> exhibited the highest oviposition preference at 0 psu; however, the hatching rate was highest at 10 psu, the pupation rate was highest at 25 psu, and the emergence rate was highest at 5 psu. <em>Ochlerotatus togoi</em> showed the highest rate of growth into adults at 25 psu. The results were verified for statistical significance using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests (post hoc test: Bonferroni), and a regression equation was generated for the incidence of adult <em>Oc. togoi</em> based on the change in salinity (y = −14.318 + 9.821x; y = adult incidence rate; x = salinity). The oviposition habits and developmental conditions of <em>Oc. togoi</em> were confirmed and the number of <em>Oc. togoi </em>was predicted based on the changes in sea level and ocean salinity. The results of this study are expected to be used for controlling salt-tolerant vectors and responding to vector-borne diseases.</span></p>