Molecular dynamics of candidate developmental genes across breeding habitats of dengue vector Aedes albopictus in Odisha, India.

Aedes albopictus exhibits ecological adaptability across breeding habitats with distinct physicochemical characteristics. However, molecular mechanism underlying breeding habitat-specific adaptation of vector remains incompletely elucidated. Entomological surveys conducted during 2023-2025 in dengue-affected regions of Khordha, Odisha, identified Aedes breeding habitats and characterized their physicochemical attributes. From ∼6,000 collected larvae, 1,500 third- and fourth-instar larvae were selected for downstream analyses. A subset of 750 larvae was processed for RNA isolation and qRT-PCR-based expression analysis of candidate developmental genes HSP70, HSP83, EcR, and JHEH, whereas remaining 750 larvae were reared under semi-field conditions for developmental and reproductive traits assessment. Discarded tyres (65.6%) constituted major breeding habitats of Aedes albopictus, followed by plastic receptacles (15.73%), cement tanks (9.87%), and earthen pots (8.8%). Larvae from discarded tyres and plastic receptacles showed shorter developmental duration, higher fecundity, and increased adult longevity than cement tanks and earthen pots (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of HSP70 (∼2.8-4.9-fold), HSP83 (∼3.2-5.7-fold), and EcR (∼2.6-7-fold) in discarded tyres and plastic receptacles, whereas JHEH expression was higher in cement tanks and earthen pots (∼1.9-2-fold) and reduced in discarded tyres and plastic receptacles (∼0.57-0.66-fold). These findings provide new insights to breeding habitat-associated bionomics and molecular variation in Aedes albopictus.