Feeding patterns of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in relation to the transmission of Ockelbo disease in sweden

Abstract

In the province of Hälsingland in central Sweden, mosquitoes were sampled in 1983 with rabbit-, guineapig-, hen- and dove-baited and unbaited suction traps and similarly baited net traps. Blood-meals were identified by the precipitin test. Aedes cantans (Meigen), Ae. cinereus Meigen, Ae. communis (De Geer), Ae. diantaeus Howard, Dyar & Knab, Ae. excrucians (Walker) s.l. and Ae. intrudens Dyar were mainly attracted to the mammals, and Culex pipiens pipiens L., Culiseta morsitans (Theobald) and Cs. ochroptera (Peus) mainly to the birds. Significantly larger numbers of Cx. p. pipiens and Cs. morsitans were caught in dove- than in hen-baited traps. Of all identified feeds of engorged Aedes females, 95% were from mammals and 5% from birds. Only feeds from birds were found in engorged Cs. morsitans females. Movement of engorged females between the traps was demonstrated. Some Aedes females entered baited traps shortly after having fed on cervids and/or cattle. In the study area, suspected vectors between birds of Sindbis virus, the causative agent of Ockelbo disease, are Cx. p. pipiens, Cx. torrentium Martini and Cs. ochroptera in late spring and summer and Cs. morsitans in late summer. The isolation of this virus from Cx. p. pipiens and Cs. morsitans females captured in this area supports their role as suspected primary vectors. Ae. communis and other abundant Aedes species are suspected vectors of this virus from birds to man. Ae. cinereus may be a vector of tularaemia (caused by Francisella tularensis) in this area.