Abstract: Dissemination of dengue 2 virus in the female adult of Aedes albopictus was studied immunocytochemically to investigate the distribution of dengue 2 virus in A. Albopictus. The results showed that after the mosquito was infected with hightiter virus, viral antigen was detected in entire alimentary canal, especially in the midgut regions. The antigen was also detected in other tissues, including nervous and endocrine systems, such as salivary glands, brain, ganglions, etc. Sporadic viral antigen was also found in the ovarian tissues like ovarian follicle and calyces. It was inferred that once dengue 2 virus escaped from the midgut epithelium, it could quickly spread to other tissues. The most possible sequence of the virus spreading among the infected tissues was as follows: midgut, forgut, salivary glands, brain and suboesophageal ganglions, thoracic ganglions, hindgut, compound eyes and Johnston's organ.

Key words: Aedes albopictus, dengue 2 virus, immunocytochemistry