larvae feed on bacteria, grow over a period of weeks until they reach the pupa stage. The lifespan of an adult Ae. aegypti is two to four weeks depending on conditions, but the eggs can be viable for over a year in a dry state, which allows the mosquito to re-emerge after a cold winter or dry spell. Hosts Mammalian hosts include domesticated horses, and feral and wild horses and equids more generally. As of 2009 birds were found to be the best food supply for Ae. aegypti among all taxa. DistributionAedes aegypti originated in Africa and was spread to the New World through slave trade, but is now found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world.Ae. aegypti distribution has increased in the past two to three decades worldwide, and it is considered to be among the most widespread mosquito species. In 2016, Zika virus-capable mosquito populations have been found adapting for persistence in warm temperate climates. Such a population has been identified to exist in parts of Washington, DC, and genetic evidence suggests they survived at least the last four winters in the region. One of the study researchers noted, " ...some mosquito species are finding ways to survive in normally restrictive environments by taking advantage of underground refugia". As the world's climate becomes warmer, the range of Aedes aegypti and a hardier species originating in Asia, the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, which can expand its range to relatively cooler climates, will inexorably spread north and south. Sadie Ryan of the University of Florida was the lead author in a 2019 study that estimated the vulnerability of naïve populations in geographic regions that currently do not harbor vectors i.e., for Zika in the Old World. Ryan's co-author, Georgetown University's Colin Carlson remarked,"Plain and simple, climate change is going to kill a lot of people." As of 2020, the Northern Territory Government Australia and the Darwin City Council have recommended tropical cities initiate rectification programs to rid their cities of potential mosquito breeding stormwater sumps. A 2019 study found that accelerating urbanization and human movement would also contribute to the spread of Aedes mosquitoes. In continental Europe, Aedes aegypti is not established but it has been found in localities close to Europe such as the Asian part of Turkey. However, a single adult female specimen was found in Marseille (Southern France) in 2018. On the basis of a