Population structure of Aedes aegypti in the Pacific Islands

The Pacific Islands region suffered from increasing arboviral disease outbreaks over the last decade. Mosquito control can benefit the region and will likely improve the health/survivorship of the populations and of the US military personnel living in this region. There is active development of novel genetic control strategies for Ae. aegypti. A phased testing approach is necessary before any novel control measures can be safely applied in a natural ecosystem. To investigate population connectivity of Ae. aegypti in the region, we conducted whole genome sequencing of Ae. aegypti from various islands in Hawai’i. Our preliminary analysis indicates that Ae. aegypti populations from Hawai’i are distinct from other populations from Asia, America, and Africa. Population subdivision within the Big Islands of Hawai’i were also detected. Our results are the first step in understanding population structure of Ae. aegypti in Hawai’i and will be used for the underlying data for modeling mosquito dispersal in this region.