Population and parity levels of Aedes aegypti collected in Tucson.
Oviposition traps were used to follow changes in the population of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera:Culicidae) in a seven-block area in midtown region of Tucson, Arizona. About 20,000 eggs were collected over a period from 1 June to 14 October 2000. Peak mosquito populations were correlated with the late summer rains. Mosquitoes seeking a blood meal were collected and dissected to determine if they had previously fed, i.e. if they were parous. Of the 241 females examined, 44% were parous, with a range from 0% to 80%. Females that had blood in their guts were collected and the source of blood was identified using an ELISA. Preliminary results suggest that 80% of them had fed on humans. These data suggest that the reproductive history of Tucson populations of Ae. aegypti could be conducive for transmission of dengue viruses.
Hoeck
Paquita A E
PA
Department of Entomology, Center for Insect Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Ramberg
Frank B
FB
Merrill
Samuel A
SA
Moll
Carlos
C
Hagedorn
Henry H
HH
D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D001130:Arizona; D001769:Blood; D003715:Dengue / Q000635:transmission; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010058:Oviposition; D010298:Parity; D011157:Population Dynamics