title: The vector competence of Culex annulirostris, Aedes sagax and Aedes alboannulatus for Murray Valley encephalitis virus at different temperatures.
abstract: Culex annulirostris Skuse, colonized from Brisbane, Queensland, and Mildura, Victoria, Australia, were effective vectors of Murray Valley encephalitis virus at 20, 27 and 32-35 degrees C with full extrinsic incubation periods of 15, 10 and 4 days respectively. At 20 degrees C, 7-11 days post-infection, transmission by the Mildura colony (0-20%) was less efficient than the Brisbane colony (30-70%) but both were capable of 75-100% transmission after longer extrinsic incubation periods. Discriminant analysis of body and salivary gland titres showed that these were not satisfactory indicators of transmission. Wild-caught Aedes sagax (Skuse) and Cx annulirostris from the Murray Valley showed equal competence, but Aedes alboannulatus (Macquart) was a poor vector. The results provide data on rural amplification of Murray Valley encephalitis virus during spring and suggest that further work on the potential of Ae. sagax as a natural vector is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Fanning
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mottram
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000382:microbiology*; D005416:Flavivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D013696:Temperature