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Science 5 July 1968:
Vol. 161. no. 3836, pp. 67 - 68
DOI: 10.1126/science.161.3836.67
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Articles

Culex nigripalpus: Seasonal Shift in the Bird-Mammal Feeding Ratio in a Mosquito Vector of Human Encephalitis

John D. Edman 1 and Doyle J. Taylor 1

1 Florida State Board of Health, Entomological Research Center, Vero Beach, and Encephalitis Research Center, Tampa

Blood-engorged Culex nigripalpus (Theob.) collected throughout the year in two Florida localities were serologically tested to determine the host range of this mosquito in nature. A proportional increase in feeding on mammals occurred in early summer, reached a maximum between July and October, and was followed by a shift back to avian hosts which dominated the feeding pattern during winter and spring. This finding strengthens the hypothesis that a biphasic pattern of feeding is a basic characteristic of an enzootic vector that, in epidemic years, also serves as the primary vector of avian arbovirus to man.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
West Nile Virus in Guadeloupe: Introduction, Spread, and Decrease in Circulation Level: 2002-2005.
T. LEFRANCOIS, B. J BLITVICH, J. PRADEL, S. MOLIA, N. VACHIERY, and D. MARTINEZ (2006)
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1081, 206-215
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)