The present work aims at comparing the life cycle between samples from different populations of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) collected in ten municipalities in the semi-arid region of state of Paraíba, Brazil. The life cycles were studied under 26 ± 2ºC, a relative humidity of 60 ± 10% and a 12 h photophase. The development period, egg viability, and larval and pupal survival, were evaluated daily, as well as the sex ratio, longevity, size, and fecundity of adults. We performed a cluster analysis, using a Euclidean distance matrix by the method of unweighted mean. The duration and viability for the egg, larval and pupal stages had, respectively, an average change of 3.7 to 4.7 days and 82.8% to 97.7%, from 9.1 to 10.8 days and 91.2% to 99.2%, and 2.1 to 2.5 days and 93.5% to 98.4%. The wing length ranged from 5.13 to 5.34 mm for females and from 4.18 to 4.25 mm for males. The population of A. aegypti originated from Pedra Lavrada registered the lowest fecundity (153.6 eggs/female), while the highest fecundity (310.6 eggs/female) was observed in Campina Grande. Cluster analysis based on the similarity of biological data revealed the formation of two major distinct groups, where populations of A. aegypti from Serra Branca and Cuité show greater similarity to each other. Differences in biological cycles were observed among populations of A. aegypti, demonstrating the ability of this species to vary in its biology and adapt to different environmental conditions. This may increase the number of A. aegypti that stay in these areas, thus increasing the risk of the dengue virus.
Aedini; vector; dengue; biological cycle
