Paper Title
Wing Geometry Analysis to Separate Species and Sexes of AEDES Aegypti and AE. Albopictus as Dengue Vectors in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand

Abstract
In Thailand, dengue fever is a major public health problem. Vector control is an important strategy for control of the dengue epidemic, but information on the biology, ecology and behavior of Aedes aegypti in the area is required. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are similar in appearance but can be identified by the pattern on the thorax. However, there is a problem distinguishing between the two species of Aedes in the field, caused by damage or other factors, leading to the pattern on the thorax disappearing. Therefore, the landmark-based method of geometric morphometrics (GM) was applied to identify Aedes mosquitoes. Larvae of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were collected in the most infected sub-districts of Samut Songkhram Province by Ovitrap from August to November 2016. The results showed that GM can be an alternative or complementary technique for the identification of Aedes mosquitoes. Statistically significant differences were noted in the size of Aedes mosquito (p<0.05). All sexes and species of Aedes mosquito are statistically different in shape, as assessed by non-parametric methods (1000 runs) (p< 0.05). The results of this study showed that GM can be used for the identification of Aedes mosquitoes, leading to suitable dengue planning to control mosquito vectors. Keywords- Wing geometry, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Samutsongkhram, Thailand