Seasonal variations in activity and size of adult females and local distribution of larvae for populations of Culex salinarius in the upper coastal zone of southeastern Texas.
Activity of adult female populations of Culex salinarius, as determined by light trap collections, was studied in Chambers County, Texas, from June 1988 to July 1990. Overall, Cx. salinarius was the predominant species collected by light traps. Female Cx. salinarius were present in every month of the 2-year study period, with spring peaks in April and May and autumn peaks in September and October. Traps set in southern and central areas collected more specimens of Cx. salinarius than did those located in western areas, especially during spring, summer, and fall seasons. Females with longest wing lengths were collected in cooler winter months and those with shortest wing lengths were collected in warm summer months. Females having the longest wings tended to be collected at trap sites in coastal marsh areas of Chambers County, irrespective of when collections were made. Dipper samples taken on a monthly basis from fixed sites in upland agricultural and coastal marshland areas indicate that larvae of this species were present at more sampling sites during cooler months than in the warmest months of June, July, and August.
Janousek
Thomas E
TE
Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA.
Olson
J K
JK
D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D003465:Culex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D013781:Texas; D014887:Weather; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology