Temporal patterns of host-seeking activity of mosquitoes in Algonquin Park, Ontario

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 731-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Trueman ◽  
Susan B. McIver

Using multidirectional ramp traps baited with CO2, the flight activity of mosquitoes was monitored on a continuous basis for two seasons, with samples segregated into 30-min catches. Over 16 000 catches were collected, from which 22 species of mosquitoes were identified. Seasonal extrema are reported for all mosquito species collected and detailed seasonal and daily patterns of activity are given for the six most abundant species, namely Aedes canadensis (Theobald), Aedes communis (DeGeer), Aedes diantaeus Howard, Dyar and Knab, Aedes intrudens Dyar, Aedes punctor (Dirby), Aedes abserratus (Felt and Young), and Mansonia perturbons (Walker). All six abundant species had a peak of activity in the evening: A. communis the earliest, around 1800, and M. perturbons the latest, around 2200. Mansonia perturbons was the only species with a distinct peak of early morning activity, although some activity was evident for other species. Perspective plots for A. communis and M. perturbons are used to examine relationships between seasonal and daily patterns. There was a detectable change through the season in the daily pattern of A. communis, but no change was detected for M. perturbons.

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oswaldo Paulo Forattini ◽  
Iná Kakitani ◽  
Eduardo Massad ◽  
Almério de Castro Gomes

Populations of Anopheles (Kerteszia) were sampled fortnightly over a one-year period (August 1991 to July 1992) at Ribeira Valley, S. Paulo State, Brazil. Indoor and outdoor collections were made on human bait at evening crepuscular period. The Polovodova technique for age grading was applied to 3,501 females of Anopheles cruzii and to 416 females of An. bellator. That sample represented 34.4% of the total number of mosquitoes collected. The most abundant species found was An. cruzii. However, An. bellator showed an endophagy that was almost three times greater than that of An. cruzii. The overall parous rate was 25.4% and uniparity was practically dominant one. A proportion of 26.9% of An. cruzii and 12.0% of An. bellator were found to be uniparous. Only three outdoor females of the former species (0.1%) showed biparity. Parity of An. cruzii was higher in females caught outdoors than in those caught indoors. Nevertheless, 497 nulliparous females examined (417 cruzii and 80 bellator) had ovaries that had advanced to Christophers and Mer stages III to V. These results imply that these females had already practised hematophagy. Relating these results to those from the parous females, a high statistical significance was found, leading to the conclusion that gonothophic discordance is a common pattern among these anophelines. Further, these results obtained with human bait catches strongly suggest that nearly 38.0% of these host-seeking females had already taken at least one previous blood-meal. So it is possible that enough time could thus be available for the plasmodian development in the vectors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
Drew David Reinbold-Wasson ◽  
Michael Hay Reiskind

ABSTRACT An essential component of vector-borne disease monitoring programs is mosquito surveillance. Surveillance efforts employ various collection traps depending on mosquito species and targeted life-history stage, i.e., eggs, larvae, host-seeking, resting, or gravid adults. Surveillance activities often use commercial traps, sometimes modified to accept specific mosquito species attractants. The advent of widely available and affordable 3D printing technology allows the construction of novel trap designs and components. The study goal was to develop and assess a cost-effective, multipurpose, 6-volt mosquito trap integrating features of both host-seeking and gravid mosquito traps to collect undamaged live specimens: a multifunctional mosquito trap (MMT). We tested the MMT in comparison to commercial traps, targeting gravid Aedes albopictus, host-seeking Ae. albopictus, and total number of host-seeking mosquitos regardless of species. Field evaluations found the MMT performed as well as or better than comparable commercial traps. This project demonstrates an easy to construct, inexpensive, and versatile mosquito trap, potentially useful for surveying multiple mosquito species and other hematophagous insects by varying attractants into the MMT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Spence Beaulieu ◽  
Jennifer L. Federico ◽  
Michael H. Reiskind

Abstract Background Urbanization is occurring rapidly on a global scale and is altering mosquito communities, creating assemblages that are characteristically less diverse. Despite high rates of urbanization and ample examples of vector-borne diseases transmitted by multiple species, the effects of urbanization-driven mosquito diversity losses on disease transmission has not been well explored. We investigated this question using the dog heartworm, a filarial parasite vectored by numerous mosquito species. Methods We trapped host-seeking mosquitoes in undeveloped areas and neighborhoods of different ages in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, analyzing captured mosquitoes for heartworm DNA. We compared within-mosquito heartworm infection across land-use types by Kruskal–Wallis and likelihood ratio tests. Using zip code level data acquired from dogs in a local shelter, we performed linear regressions of within-host heartworm prevalence by within-mosquito heartworm prevalence as well as by three mosquito diversity measures. We also determined the best predictor of host-level prevalence among models including within-mosquito infection, mosquito diversity and abundance, and socioeconomic status as variables. Results Suburban areas had lower within-mosquito heartworm prevalence and lower likelihood of heartworm-positive mosquitoes than did undeveloped field sites, although no differences were seen between suburban and undeveloped wooded sites. No relationships were noted between within-mosquito and within-host heartworm prevalence. However, mosquito diversity metrics were positively correlated with host heartworm prevalence. Model selection revealed within-host prevalence was best predicted by a positive relationship with mosquito Shannon–Wiener diversity and a negative relationship with household income. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that decreases in mosquito diversity due to urbanization alter vector-borne disease risk. With regard to dog heartworm disease, this loss of mosquito diversity is associated with decreased heartworm prevalence within both the vector and the host. Although the response is likely different for diseases transmitted by one or few species, mosquito diversity losses leading to decreased transmission could be generalizable to other pathogens with multiple vectors. This study contributes to better understanding of the effects of urbanization and the role of vector diversity in multi-vectored pathosystems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1913-1919
Author(s):  
Walter Santos de Araújo ◽  
Thallyta Maria Vieira ◽  
Guilherme Antunes de Souza ◽  
Isaque Clementino Bezerra ◽  
Paulo Henrique Costa Corgosinho ◽  
...  

Abstract Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are one of the most important disease vector species in the world. Many species have a high degree of anthropophilia and are often found in human habitations. In the present study, we have inventoried the nocturnal mosquito assemblage in intra-, peri-, and extradomicile environments in four municipalities in Pará, Brazil. At each municipality, a residence was selected and the mosquitoes were sampled using the protected human attraction capture and Shannon trap methods in April (rainy season) and August 2018 (dry season). We have collected a total of 696 mosquito specimens belonging to 8 genera and 17 species. The most abundant species were Mansonia (Mansonoides) titillans (Walker) (366/696, 52.6%), Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis Lynch-Arribálzaga (97/696, 13.9%), and Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say (93/696, 13.4%). Mosquito richness, abundance, and composition did not differ between intra-, peri-, and extradomicile environments suggesting limited habitat segregation among the different species. However, mosquito species richness and mosquito species abundance were significantly higher during the rainy season than during the dry season, suggesting increased mosquito activity during the rainy season. We detected several important vector species of human diseases including Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus), Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root, Haemagogus (Conopostegus) leucocelaenus (Dyar and Shannon), Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) venezuelensis (Theobald), and Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus which are the main transmitters of dengue, malaria, yellow fever, mayaro, and oropouche fever, respectively. As inventories of disease-carrying mosquitoes in the region are very scarce, mainly in residential environments, our results suggest high potential for mosquito-borne disease transmission in Pará State.


1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Pivnick ◽  
Edith Labbé

AbstractThe daily patterns of activity of females of the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), were observed in controlled laboratory conditions and in field conditions in eastern Saskatchewan in mid-July 1986 and 1987. In the field, during the daytime, females rested on stems of wheat plants within 30 cm of the ground and, at approximately 2000 hours CST, flew up to wheat heads. Most oviposition took place between 2000 and 2145 hours (or 75 min before, to 30 min after, sunset). Toward the end of the oviposition period, females were frequently seen drinking dew from wheat heads. On some evenings, females migrated down from the heads following oviposition, but on more than half of the evenings they remained on the heads until early morning. However, they never moved down to the low level they occupied during the day until the next morning, when the migration was usually complete by 0900–1000 hours. Light intensity appeared to regulate the vertical migration of females. Cloudy conditions may allow an earlier onset of oviposition. Flight was limited to air temperatures above 14–15 °C and oviposition to temperatures above 10–11 °C. Wind speeds of 10 km per h or more and rain occasionally limited activity. In the laboratory, oviposition activity occurred almost exclusively during the scotophase, mainly in the first 2 h. Mean total fecundity was 83.6 ± 10.9 (±SE) eggs, and mean longevity was 6.6 ± 0.6 days. No oviposition took place on the 1st night, and the greatest mean daily fecundity occurred on the 3rd night.


1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 2377-2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Mailhot ◽  
Alain Maire

Twenty mosquito species were collected in a low-subarctic area located between Eastmain River and Petit-Opinaca Lake, Quebec (52°15′ N, 76°38′ W). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of larval mosquito populations identified 20 ecological units that served as larval breeding sites. The data revealed typical larval associations such as Aedes canadensis – Aedes decticus, characteristic of the open bog series, Aedes communis – Aedes pionips of alder–willow groves (Salix planifolia – Alnus rugosa), Aedes intrudens and Aedes cinereus in flooded riparian areas. The ecology of species with summer larvae is also described: Culex restuans, Culex territans, Culiseta alaskaensis, and Culiseta impatiens.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Johnson ◽  
Russell Manby ◽  
Gregor J. Devine

AbstractCoastal development is expanding globally in response to mass human migration, yet urban planning guidelines often overlook the problems that human encroachment on or near coastal mosquito habitat may cause. This study aimed at elucidating the frequency and magnitude of dispersal of highly vagile saltmarsh mosquitoes from productive off-shore bay islands to adjacent coastal human developments. Inter-population dynamics and daily host-seeking activity of saltmarsh mosquitoes were monitored daily at 15-minute intervals within a productive bay island and adjacent coastal development in southeast Queensland, Australia, using emerging smart trap technology over a 2-month period of high mosquito activity. The regulation of mosquito dispersal and host-seeking activity by local environmental factors, e.g. temperature, relative humidity and hourly wind patterns, were also investigated. The data show that the primary saltmarsh mosquitoes Aedes vigilax (Skuse) and Culex sitiens (Wiedemann) disperse from offshore breeding sites to neighboring mainland areas in high numbers and in highly synchronized waves despite unfavorable wind patterns and the need to traverse a considerable expanse (ca. 1.4 km) of open water. Patterns of host-seeking activity within each site were also remarkably similar despite notable differences in the local environment demonstrating a consistency in host-seeking activity across disparate habitats. These findings demonstrate that distant saltmarsh habitats, including offshore breeding sites, are likely to be primary sources of mosquito nuisance for coastal housing developments. This observation highlights the need to develop new planning and regulatory guidelines that alert urban planners to the risks of encroaching on habitats close to the sources of highly vagile mosquito species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Muhammad Umar Riandi ◽  
Tri Wahono ◽  
Mara Ipa ◽  
Joni Hendri ◽  
Subangkit Subangkit

Abstract. Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that has pigs as the amplifying host. It is important to study the diversity of mosquito species around pig populations to determine the potential of Japanese encephalitis vectors in the region. This study is a cross-sectional study with a single sampling method for adult mosquitoes around pigpen in Tangerang Regency. The capture of adult mosquitoes is carried out by the outdoor resting mosquitoes collection at 18:00 - 24:00 using aspirators and light traps. Female mosquitoes were identified and subsequently tested RT-PCR for JEV. Catching results obtained 223 mosquitoes from the genus Culex, Armigeres, Aedes, Anopheles, and Mansonia with a total of 10 species. Species diversity in the pigpen area is classified as moderate (H = 1.0875 – 1.292) with Culex vishnui and Culex quinquefasciatus as the most abundant species. RT-PCR test found there’s no mosquito’s samples with positive JE RNA virus. Several species of mosquitoes found around pigpens in Tangerang District have the potential to become JEV vectors, so that control to the mosquito abundance and health of pigs is needed as a preventative measure.  Keywords: Diversity, Japanese encephalitis, pig, vector   Abstrak. Japanese encephalitis merupakan penyakit zoonosis yang ditularkan oleh nyamuk dan babi sebagai inang penguat. Studi keanekaragaman jenis nyamuk di sekitar populasi babi penting dilakukan untuk mengetahui potensi vektor Japanese encephalitis pada wilayah tersebut. Desain penelitian ini adalah potong lintang dengan metode sampling tunggal terhadap nyamuk dewasa sekitar kandang babi di Kabupaten Tangerang. Penangkapan nyamuk dewasa dilakukan dengan metode koleksi outdoor resting pada malam hari pukul 18.00 – 24.00 menggunakan aspirator dan perangkap cahaya. Nyamuk betina diidentifikasi  dan selanjutnya diuji RT-PCR virus JE. Hasil penangkapan didapatkan 700 ekor nyamuk dari genus Culex, Armigeres, Aedes, Anopheles, dan Mansonia dengan total 10 spesies. Keanekaragaman spesies pada seluruh wilayah penelitian tergolong sedang (H=1,0875 – 1,292) dengan Culex vishnui dan Culex quinquefasciatus sebagai spesies paling melimpah. Uji RT-PCR tidak menemukan adanya sampel nyamuk positif RNA virus JE. Beberapa spesies nyamuk yang ditemukan di sekitar kandang babi di Kecamatan Panongan memiliki potensi sebagai vektor JEV sehingga diperlukan pengendalian kepadatan nyamuk dan kesehatan ternak babi terhadap JEV sebagai upaya pencegahan.  Kata Kunci: Keanekaragaman, Japanese encephalitis, babi, vektor


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuddhasattwa Maitra Mazumdar ◽  
Biswajit Mandal ◽  
Surajit Kar ◽  
Abhijit Mazumdar

Abstract Background The spread of bluetongue virus depends on the vectorial ability of Culicoides affecting the susceptible host. Animal farms in West Bengal have reported prevalence of potent vectors of BTV (C. oxystoma, C. peregrinus and C. fulvus). Besides, high seroprevalence of BTV was also reported from this cattle dense region. Henceforth host-seeking activity of two important potent vectors, C. oxystoma and C. peregrinus on cattle were studied in two farm sites of West Bengal, India.Methods The study was done in 2018-19 comprising of total 297 hours of collection over 27 nights. A comparison was made between the catches obtained by mouth aspirator and light trap. Hourly collections of Culicoides were done directly from cattle (oral aspirator) as well as light trap was operated in close vicinity of cattle at a different shed.Results A total of 11,462 Culicoides belonging to C. oxystoma, C. peregrinus and C. fulvus were collected in light trap and aspirator. In aspirator 4764 midges were collected whereas 6698 individuals were collected in light trap. The following species were aspirated: C. peregrinus and C. oxystoma; however the light trap catches consisted of C. fulvus, C. oxystoma and C. peregrinus. Light trap collection exhibited crepuscular activity whereas aspirator collection was maximum between 4.00 am and 5.00 am. Likewise maximum landing of midges was observed in neck and hump region of cattle.Conclusion It was observed that the preferred time of feeding of C. peregrinus and C. oxystoma on cattle were early morning hours though midges were ubiquitous from dusk to dawn. Surprisingly the preferential landing of the two vectors were mostly restricted to the neck and hump region of the cattle. The results obtained during the study warrants further insight into the factors influencing the landing site by the vectors which may be useful biological data in disease management and draw effective deterrent strategies.


Author(s):  
Berna Demirci ◽  
Hilal Bedir ◽  
Gencay Taskin Tasci ◽  
Zati Vatansever

Abstract Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) and Dirofilaria repens (Railliet & Henry, 1911) are mosquito-borne filarial nematodes that primarily affect dogs, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis. The canine heartworm is reported in different provinces in Turkey. However, studies about the transmitting mosquito species are limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens in Aras Valley, Turkey. In total, 17,995 female mosquitoes were collected from eight villages during three mosquito seasons (2012–2014) in Aras Valley, located in north-eastern Turkey. A total of 1,054 DNA pools (527 abdomen and 527 head-thorax) were tested with Dirofilaria primers by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Aedes caspius was the most abundant species in collection sites with 90%; this was followed by Culex theileri Theobald, 1903 (Diptera: Culicidae) (7.31%), Anopheles maculipennis Meigen 1818 (Diptera: Culicidae) (1.28%), Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.43%), (Anopheles) hyrcanus (Pallas, 1771) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.37%), Aedes vexans (Meigen, 1830) (Diptera: Culicidae) (0.25%), and Culiseta annulata Schrank, 1776 (Diptera:Culicidae) (0.02%). Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens were detected in mosquito pools from five villages. The total Dirofilaria spp. estimated infection rate was 1.33%. The highest estimated infection rate was found in Ae. vexans (6.66%) and the lowest was in Ae. caspius (1.26%). The results show that An. maculipennis sl, Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Cx. theileri and Cx. pipiens are potential vectors of D. immitis and D. repens with DNA in head-thorax pools; An. hyrcanus is also a likely vector, but Dirofilaria DNA was found only in abdomen pools for the study area. This study revealed new potential vector species for D. immitis. Mosquitoes with natural infections of D. repens were reported for the first time in Turkey.


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