Ecology ofCuliseta Melanuraand Other Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Walton County, FL, During Winter Period 2013–2014

Abstract

Winter ecology of putative vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) in northern Florida was investigated at field locations with evidence of historic EEEV winter transmission. Light traps and resting shelters were used to sample the mosquito community in the vicinity of eight sentinel flocks throughout the winter period (November-April) of 2013 and 2014 in Walton County, FL. Overall mosquito activity was relatively low, although mosquitoes were captured during each week of the study period. Mosquito activity was linked to morning temperature, and females were captured when ambient morning temperatures were quite low (1-5°C). Anopheles crucians Wiedemann, Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab), Culex territans Walker, and Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) were the most commonly collected mosquito species (of 20 total species). Analysis of blood-engorged mosquitoes revealed a number of mosquito species feeding upon chickens, other birds, amphibians, and domestic and wild mammals. Cs. melanura fed primarily upon chickens and songbirds (Passeriformes), suggesting that this mosquito species is the likely winter vector of EEEV to sentinel chickens in northern Florida. Both resident and nonresident songbird species were fed upon, constituting 63.9 and 36.1% of total songbird meals, respectively. Our results suggest important roles for Cs. melanura and songbird hosts for the winter transmission of EEEV in northern Florida.

Complex Epidemiological Dynamics of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Florida

“…12,35,36 The ecology of the Panhandle is also conducive to year-round Cs. melanura feeding on passerine birds, 37 which in the winter months may be primarily northern cardinals that are in greater abundance as compared with southern Florida. 28,38,39 A study comparing Cs.…”

The Role of Temperature in Transmission of Zoonotic Arboviruses

“…Cs. melanura , the main vector for EEEV, is active at low temperatures (1–5 °C) [122], but requires liquid water in order to overwinter as larvae (typically in aquatic habitat underneath trees) [123]. In Botswana, seasonal temperature was important for Cx.…”

Epidemic Alphaviruses: Ecology, Emergence and Outbreaks

“…Specifically, both serological and bloodmeal-based methodologies have incriminated a distinct host preference of Cs. melanura for passerines (perching or songbirds) [64,91,97,[99][100][101][102]. Experimental infection studies in various passerines [103][104][105], as well as detection of anti-EEEV antibodies passerines during serological surveys [103,106,107] have conclusively incriminated birds of this order as the natural vertebrate reservoir for EEEV.…”

“…Given the proclivity of Cs. melanura for feeding on passerines [64,91,97,[99][100][101][102], coupled with high titers (up to 9 log 10 PFU/mL) observed in experimentally infected passerines [105], non-passerines likely do not play a significant role in the enzootic ecology of EEEV.…”