Host Feeding Patterns of Established and Potential Mosquito Vectors of West Nile Virus in the Eastern United States

Abstract

An important variable in determining the vectorial capacity of mosquito species for arthropod-borne infections is the degree of contact of the vector and the vertebrate reservoir. This parameter can be estimated by examining the host-feeding habits of vectors. Serological and polymerase chain reaction based methods have been used to study the host-feedings patterns of 21 mosquito species from New York, New Jersey, and Tennessee, 19 of which previously have been found infected with West Nile virus. Mammalophilic mosquito species in New Jersey and New York fed primarily upon whitetailed deer, while those from Memphis, Tennessee, fed mainly upon domestic dogs. A total of 24 different avian host species were detected among the avian-derived blood meals. American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and Brown-headed Cowbird were common avian hosts, while blood meals derived from the American Crow were relatively rare. Although the majority of common host species were potentially among the most abundant birds at each location, the proportion of blood meals from the most commonly fed upon avian species was greater than was predicted based upon the likely abundance of these species alone. These findings suggest that vector species for West Nile virus may preferentially feed upon certain avian hosts.

Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Cache Valley Virus (Bunyaviridae:Orthobunyavirus) Infection in Anopheline and Culicine Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Northeastern United States, 1997–2012

“…Local regional populations of An. punctipennis from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York feed almost exclusively on mammalian hosts (94.8% mammalian derived blood meals, where n = 271), with the overwhelming majority of mammalian hosts (91.2%) being white-tailed deer consistent with their abundance and availability throughout the region (Apperson et al 2004, Molaei et al 2008, 2009a). An.…”

“…It was among the most abundantly collected species in our study and accounted for 12.9% of total virus isolations. Blood meal analysis of local populations from Connecticut and New York indicate that the species is strongly mammalophilic (96.7% of all blood meals, n = 121) and feeds most frequently on white-tailed deer (85.5% mammalian blood meals, n = 110) but also humans (5.5%) (Apperson et al 2004, Molaei et al 2008. Given these parameters, it should be deemed a likely enzootic as well as bridge vector of CVV to humans despite our lack of confirmation on its ability to orally transmit virus to vertebrate hosts.…”

“…Oc. canadensis is a strong mammalian feeder (98.0% of blood meals, n = 198), and local populations from Connecticut and New York have been shown to feed heavily on white-tailed deer (94.3%) in addition to humans (4.1%) (Apperson et al 2004, Molaei et al 2008. Oc.…”

Mosquito Landing Rates on Nesting American Robins (Turdus migratorius)

“…Robins are an important host for Culex pipiens and Culex restuans mosquitoes in the eastern United States and an important species in the epidemiology of WNV (Apperson et al 2004, Kilpatrick et al 2006a,b, Molaei et al 2006. In order to gain insight into avian arbovirus transmission, we quantified host and vector behavior during the nesting season by observing nesting robins for 24-h periods with infrared cameras.…”

Genetic-morphometric variation in Culex quinquefasciatus from Brazil and La Plata, Argentina

“…Mosquitoes of the Cx. pipiens complex are potential vectors of filarid worms in tropical and subtropical areas (Bockarie et al 2009) and diverse arboviruses, including West Nile virus (Apperson et al 2004, Cook et al 2006.Adult females and immature stages of the Cx. pipiens complex are morphologically similar.…”