Larval habitat characterization for Aedes triseriatus (Say), the mosquito vector of LaCrosse encephalitis in West Virginia.
OBJECTIVE
The principal aim of this investigation was to provide quantitative information on the frequency of occurrence for Aedes triseriatus (Say) larvae in West Virginia at 3 broad elevation categories, in different months of the year, and in specific types of larval habitats.


METHODS
Larvae were collected in 54 West Virginia counties over a 6-year period, and their occurrence was recorded for defined habitat categories.


RESULTS
Aedes triseriatus larvae were collected at 206 of the 587 sites examined and in 48 of the 54 West Virginia counties sampled.


CONCLUSIONS
Aedes triseriatus larvae are distributed equally across all elevation categories from March through October and are predisposed to shaded habitats.
Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA. joy@marshall.edu
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Joy
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Hildreth-Whitehair
D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development*; D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004670:Encephalitis, California / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000254:growth & development*; D018062:La Crosse virus; D007814:Larva; D012621:Seasons; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology