Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae): a bridge vector of West Nile virus to humans

Host-feeding patterns of Culex pipiens L. collected in southwest suburban Chicago in 2005 were studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing techniques. Culex spp. mosquitoes, most identified to Cx. pipiens and the remainder to Cx. restuans by PCR, had fed on 18 avian species, most commonly American robin (Turdus migratorious), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). Additional blood meals were derived from four mammal species, primarily humans and raccoons (Procyon lotor). During a West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in 2005, West Nile virus (WNV) RNA was detected in heads and thoraces of five Cx. pipiens (n = 335, 1.5%) using quantitative PCR. The hosts of these virus-infected, blood-fed mosquitoes included two American robins, one house sparrow, and one human. This is the first report of a WNV-infected Cx. pipiens mosquito collected during an epidemic of WNV that was found to have bitten a human. These results fulfill a criterion for incrimination of Cx. pipiens as a bridge vector.     

Host-feeding habits of Culex and other mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Borough of Queens in New York City,with characters and techniques for identification of Culex mosquitoes

The host-feeding patterns of mosquitoes (n = 247) collected in the Borough of Queens in New York City in July and August 2000 were investigated using an indirect ELISA and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-heteroduplex assay. Culex pipiens L. and Cx. restuans Theobald fed primarily on birds, and their feeding habits support their implication as enzootic vectors of West Nile virus. Culex salinarius Coquillett and Coquillettidia perturbans (Walker) fed mainly on mammals, with fewer blood meals taken from birds, and these two species are potential bridge vectors of West Nile virus. Culex mosquitoes took blood meals (n = 54) from 11 different avian species. Only the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), American robin (Turdus migratorius), and Brown-headed cow bird (MolIothrus ater) were fed upon by all three Culex species. Multiple blood feedings on avian hosts were detected in Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans. Species identifications of Culex mosquitoes made using morphological characteristics were confirmed with a PCR assay that employed species-specific primers. All Cx. pipiens (n = 20) and Cx. salinarius (n = 10) specimens were correctly identified, but three (20%) of 15 Cx. restuans were misidentified as Cx. pipiens.     

Binding of western equine encephalomyelitis virus to brush border fragments isolated from mesenteronal epithelial cells of mosquitoes

Brush border fragments (BBF) were isolated from mesenteronal epithelial cells of mosquitoes that are either susceptible (WS Culex tarsalis) or refractory (WR Cx. tarsalis; Culex pipiens) to peroral infection by western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus. The isolated BBF were combined with radiolabeled WEE virus in a binding assay to compare the amount of virus bound by BBF from susceptible and refractory mosquitoes. BBF and WEE virus were mixed in a microcentrifuge tube, incubated for 1 h and centrifuged at 27,000 X g-30 min to pellet WEE virus bound to BBF. Optimal binding occurred at pH 7.2, 20 degrees C and there was no requirement for divalent cations. BBF isolated from perorally susceptible mosquitoes (WS Cx. tarsalis) bound significantly greater amounts of radiolabeled WEE virus, compared to BBF isolated from refractory mosquitoes (WR Cx. tarsalis; Cx. pipiens), in all experiments. The binding of WEE virus to BBF from WS Cx. tarsalis appears to be specific, based on saturation and competitive binding studies; binding to BBF from WR Cx. tarsalis and Cx. pipiens is nonspecific. Scatchard analysis of the binding data for BBF from WS Cx. tarsalis yields an estimated 1.8-3.5 X 10(6) binding sites per mesenteronal epithelial cell with an affinity constant of (Ka) of 2.2 X 10(11) M-1.     

Swedish Culex torrentium and Cx. pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) as experimental vectors of Ockelbo virus

The ability of the sibling species Culex pipiens (L.) and Culex torrentium (Martini) from central Sweden to transmit Ockelbo (OCK) virus was determined. Both species became infected after ingesting OCK virus from a viremic chicken; they transmitted this virus to chickens after 21-28 d of extrinsic incubation. In Cx. torrentium, infection rates were 90% or higher, and all 10 refeeding mosquitoes transmitted virus after feeding on chickens with a viremia of at least 10(3.0) plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml. In contrast, only 1 of 28 (4%) of the Cx. pipiens that ingested blood containing 10(3.0-3.9) PFU/ml became infected, and none of 16 refeeding mosquitoes transmitted virus. However, 98 of 184 (53%) of the Cx. pipiens that ingested a blood meal containing at least 10(6.0) PFU/ml became infected. Transmission rates in Cx. pipiens increased with increasing virus concentration in the blood meal to a maximum of 37% in mosquitoes that ingested greater than 10(8.0) PFU/ml. Based on these data, both Cx. pipiens and Cx. torrentium are capable of transmitting OCK virus in an enzootic cycle involving birds as hosts. However, Cx. torrentium appears to be physiologically a more efficient vector than Cx. pipiens.     

Hematophagous Diptera collected from a horse and paired carbon dioxide-baited suction trap in southern California: relevance to West Nile virus epizootiology

Hematophagous Diptera landing on a horse were removed by vacuum, and their numbers were related to a paired carbon dioxide-baited suction trap at three locations in southern California where West Nile virus activity was high during the preceding year. Insects collected from the horse included mosquitoes (nine species), biting midges (Culicoides sonorensis Wirth & Jones), and black flies (Simulium bivittatum Malloch). Mosquitoes were predominantly collected from the head, crest, withers, neck, chest, and shoulders of the horse, whereas biting midges and black flies were predominantly collected from the ventral midline of the horse. Culex erythrothorax Dyar was by far the most abundant mosquito species collected overall. Frequency of engorgement for mosquitoes captured from the horse ranged by species from zero to 58.3%, with Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say having the lowest value (16.7% or one of six mosquitoes) of species that fed on the horse. The number of insects captured at the horse and paired CO2-baited suction trap was not different for Anopheles franciscanus McCracken, Culex tarsalis Coquillett, and S. bivittatum. Cx. p. quinquefasciatus was captured in greater numbers in the CO2-baited suction trap, whereas Anopheles hermsi Barr & Guptavanji, Cx. erythrothorax, Culiseta inornata (Williston), and Culiseta particeps (Adams) were captured in greater numbers from the horse. The horse biting rate was very low for Cx. p. quinquefasciatus, intermediate for Cx. tarsalis, and very high for Cx. erythrothorax. Both Cx. tarsalis and Cx. erythrothorax should be considered likely epizootic vectors of West Nile virus to horses in rural southern California.     

Persistence of low-pathogenic avian influenza H5N7 and H7N1 subtypes in house flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

Avian influenza caused by avian influenza virus (AIV) has a negative impact on poultry production. Low-pathogenic AIV (LPAIV) is naturally present in wild birds, and the introduction of the virus into domestic poultry is assumed to occur through contact with wild birds and by human activity, including the movement of live and dead poultry, and fomites such as clothing and vehicles. At present, the possible role of insects in the spread of AIV is dubious. The objective of the present work was to investigate the potential transmission of LPAIV by persistence of the virus in the alimentary tract of house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). Flies were fed three virus concentrations of two AIV strains and then incubated at different temperatures for up to 24 h. The persistence of the two virus strains in the flies declined with increasing incubation temperatures and incubation periods. Similarly, increased virus uptake by the flies increased the persistence of virus. Persistence of infective AIV in flies differed significantly between the two virus strains. The laboratory experiments of the present study indicate that the house fly can be a potential carrier of AIV.     

Bird-baited traps for surveillance of West Nile mosquito vectors: effect of bird species, trap height, and mosquito escape rates

Host-seeking mosquitoes were sampled in bird-baited traps at four sites in New York state in 2003-2004. Trap placement and efficacy of chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus L., as bait compared with house sparrows, Passer domesticus L., an important reservoir of West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV), was evaluated. Each site had a chicken-baited trap near ground level (approximately 1.5 m) and in the tree canopy (approximately 9 m), and a house sparrow-baited trap at ground level and canopy level. Each trap allowed mosquito access to birds on one end, and an inner mesh screen blocked bird access on the other end. The two most abundant mosquitoes, Culex restuans Theobald and Culex pipiens pipiens L., were differentiated using molecular characters. In 2003, Cx. restuans and Cx. p. pipiens made up 88% of total mosquito catch. In 2004, Cx. restuans comprised 43% of total catch and Cx. p. pipiens comprised 33%. The remaining species representing at least 1% of total catch were Ochlerotatus trivittatus (Coquillett), Coquilletidia perturbans (Walker), and Culiseta morsitans (Theobald). Capture rates were similar for chicken and house sparrow-baited traps; however, significantly more mosquitoes were captured in the canopy for both bird species. Cx. restuans preferred canopy traps, whereas equal numbers of Cx. p. pipiens were captured at ground and canopy levels. Mosquitoes were more likely to escape (74%) when excluded from birds than when allowed free access to birds (54%). Sentinel bird surveillance for WNV can be improved by trapping in the tree canopy in addition to ground level to capture the most important avian vectors.     

Host feeding of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) associated with the recurrence of Rift Valley fever in Egypt

In 1993, Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus reappeared in Egypt. We determined the prevalence and feeding patterns of mosquitoes in 5 villages where the virus was active. Of 10 species recovered, Aedes caspius (Pallas), Culex pipiens L., Cx. antennatus (Becker), and Cx. perexiguus Theobald constituted 99% of > 35,000 mosquitoes captured in dry ice-baited CDC light traps. Ae. caspius was most prevalent, except at Nag' El Hagar where it was replaced by Cx. perexiguus. Cx. pipiens ranked 2nd, except at Nag' El Ghuneimiya, where it was replaced by Cx. antennatus. Most blood meals analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reacted to > or = 1 antiserum. Cx. pipiens was mainly anthropophagic, and therefore may have been the main vector of RVF virus among humans. Ae. caspius feeds were chiefly from humans, bovines, and equines. Cx. antennatus and Cx. perexiguus fed generally on bovines. Mixed blood meals from humans and RVF virus susceptible animals were identified in the predominant mosquitoes. Prevalence and host selection, as well as predicted probability for a blood meal being interrupted, indicated that Ae. caspius may have served as a bridge vector between humans and bovines in 4 of the villages. Cx. perexiguus may have played this role at Nag' El Hagar. Because potential vectors are abundant, susceptible domestic animals are associated closely with humans, and surveillance of imported livestock is not systematic, we conclude that RVF virus sporadically will recur in Egypt.     

Spatial variation in host feeding patterns of Culex tarsalis and the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in California

West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) is now endemic in California across a variety of ecological regions that support a wide diversity of potential avian and mammalian host species. Because different avian hosts have varying competence for WNV, determining the blood-feeding patterns of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) vectors is a key component in understanding the maintenance and amplification of the virus as well as tangential transmission to humans and horses. We investigated the blood-feeding patterns of Culex tarsalis Coquillett and members of the Culex pipiens L. complex from southern to northern California. Nearly 100 different host species were identified from 1,487 bloodmeals, by using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). Cx. tarsalis fed on a higher diversity of hosts and more frequently on nonhuman mammals than did the Cx. pipiens complex. Several WNV-competent host species, including house finch and house sparrow, were common bloodmeal sources for both vector species across several biomes and could account for WNV maintenance and amplification in these areas. Highly competent American crow, western scrub-jay and yellow-billed magpie also were fed upon often when available and are likely important as amplifying hosts for WNV in some areas. Neither species fed frequently on humans (Cx. pipiens complex [0.4%], Cx. tarsalis [0.2%]), but with high abundance, both species could serve as both enzootic and bridge vectors for WNV.     

Host-seeking heights, host-seeking activity patterns, and West Nile virus infection rates for members of the Culex pipiens complex at different habitat types within the hybrid zone, Shelby County, TN, 2002 (Diptera: Culicidae)

Host-seeking heights, host-seeking activity patterns, and West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) infection rates were assessed for members of the Culex pipiens complex from July to December 2002, by using chicken-baited can traps (CT) at four ecologically different sites in Shelby County, TN. Host-seeking height was assessed by CT placed at elevations of 3.1, 4.6, and 7.6 m during one 24-h period per month. Host-seeking activity was assessed by paired CT placed at an elevation of 4.6 m. Can traps were sampled at one 10-h daytime interval and at seven 2-h intervals during the evening, night, and morning. Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes accounted for 87.1% of collected mosquitoes. Culex (Melanoconion) erraticus (Dyar & Knab) accounted for 11.9% of specimens. The average number of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes collected per 24-h CT period from July to September was lowest at a rural middle income site (1.7), intermediate at an urban middle income site (11.3), and highest at an urban low income site (47.4). Can traps at the forested site failed to collect Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes. From July to September at urban sites, Culex pipiens pipiens L. was the rarest of the three complex members accounting for 11.1-25.6% of specimens. At the rural site, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say was the rarest member of the complex. Cx. p. pipiens was not collected after September. Mean abundance of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes was higher in traps at 7.6 m than in traps at 4.6 m. Abundances at 3.1 m were intermediate and not significantly different from abundances at the other heights. Initiation of host-seeking activity was associated with the end of civil twilight and activity occurred over an extended nighttime period lasting 8-10 h. All 11 WNV-positive mosquitoes were Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes collected from urban sites in traps placed at elevations of 4.6 and 7.6 m. Infection rates were marginally nonsignificant by height. Infection rates, host-seeking heights, and activity patterns were not significantly different among members of the Cx. pipiens complex.     

Oviposition activity patterns and West Nile virus infection rates for members of the Culex pipiens complex at different habitat types within the hybrid zone, Shelby County, TN, 2002 (Diptera: Culicidae)

Oviposition activity and West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) infection rates were assessed for members of the Culex pipiens complex from July through December 2002 by using gravid traps placed at four ecologically different sites in the southern portion of the hybrid zone in Shelby County, TN. Molecular assays identified three members of the Cx. pipiens complex: Cx. pipiens pipiens L., Cx. p. quinquefasciatus Say, and Cx. p. pipiens-Cx. p. quinquefasciatus hybrids (hybrids). The Cx. pipiens complex accounted for 90% of mosquitoes collected in gravid traps. All 285 WNV-positive mosquitoes were Culex mosquitoes, and 277 (97%) were Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes. Infection rates among members of the Cx. pipiens complex were not significantly different. Infection rates were significantly higher at two urban sites than at a rural site, and WNV was not detected at a forested site. At urban sites, abundances of members of the Cx. pipiens complex corresponded to a simple latitude model of the hybrid zone. Cx. p. quinquefasciatus was most abundant (46.4%), followed by hybrids (34.1%) and Cx. p. pipiens (19.5%). The relative abundances at a rural site were reversed with Cx. p. pipiens (48.4%) being most abundant. This demonstrates that spatial habitat variation may profoundly influence the distribution of members of the Cx. pipiens complex within the hybrid zone. Members of the Cx. pipiens complex did not display different oviposition patterns. However, oviposition patterns assessed hourly at urban and rural sites were significantly different. At urban sites, oviposition activity of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes was bimodal with an evening peak associated with sunset and a morning peak associated with sunrise. At the rural site, the evening peak was pronounced and the morning peak weak and similar to nighttime activity.     

骚扰库蚊内蒙古新记录及其感染Wolbachia的检测

本研究对内蒙古满洲里地区采集到的尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫进行自育性实验和雄蚊阳茎鉴定,证实内蒙古满洲里地区发现的尖音库蚊复合组蚊虫是骚扰库蚊新记录,其自育率为72．5％,雄蚊阳茎DV／D的比值在-0．0648与0．0577之间。随后应用Wolbachia的wsp基因特异引物,通过PCR方法对其进行检测。实验结果表明,内蒙古满洲里地区骚扰库蚊的雌蚊和雄蚊体内均检测到Wolbachia感染,感染率为79．71％。     

Wolbachia在我国蚊虫体内感染组织定位的透射电镜观察和PCR检测

通过透射电镜的超微形态观察和分组织的PCR检测发现 ,在我国尖音库蚊复合组和白纹伊蚊体内感染的Wolbachia株不仅局限于生殖组织内。在淡色库蚊 (Cx .pipienspallens)和骚扰库蚊 (Cx .pipiensmolestus)雌蚊卵巢、中肠和胸部肌肉组织中都有B大组Pip组Wolbachia株的感染 ,而头部没有检测到感染。在白纹伊蚊雌蚊卵巢、中肠组织中存在A大组和B大组Pip组的Wolbachia株双重感染 ,胸部肌肉组织中仅发现B大组Pip组Wolbachia株的单独感染 ,头部没有检测到感染     

Is nonviremic transmission of West Nile virus by Culex mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) nonviremic?

Inter- and intraspecific transfer of West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) occurred infrequently when donor Culex tarsalis Coquillett fed concurrently on house finches with recipient Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Cx. tarsalis. Five of six of these house finches had WNV in blood samples collected by jugular venipuncture 30-45 min postfeeding, with titers ranging from 2.3 to 4.2 log10 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml. After 2-wk incubation at 26 degrees C, three Cx. quinquefasciatus and one Cx. tarsalis of 230 blood-fed recipients were infected, of which one Cx. quinquefasciatus was capable of transmission. Our data indicated that infectious female mosquitoes feeding on small vertebrates create a nonpropagative viremia capable of infecting concurrently cofeeding females. The proportion of recipients infected is likely related to the amount of virus expectorated by donor females, the blood volume of the vertebrate host, and the susceptibility of the cofeeding mosquitoes.     

West Nile virus investigations in South Moravia, Czechland

Seven virus isolates were obtained from 11,334 mosquitoes after the 1997 Morava River flooding in South Moravia (Czech Republic): 6 strains of Tahyna bunyavirus, California antigenic group (5 from Aedes vexans, 1 from Ae. cinereus), and 1 strain of West Nile flavivirus (WNV) from Culex pipiens. In 1999, one isolate of Tahyna virus from Ae. vexans and one isolate of WNV from Cx. pipiens were recovered from a total of 14,354 mosquitoes examined in the same area, whereas no virus was detected there in 1,179 overwintering mosquitoes (mostly Cx. pipiens) in March 2000. The infection rate of mosquitoes with arboviruses was significantly higher in 1997, the year of the flood and an enormously high population density of mosquitoes. Antibodies neutralizing WNV were detected in 13 of 619 (2.1%) hospitalized patients or persons seeking outpatient clinics of the area in 1997. Five of the seroreactors revealed clinical symptoms compatible with West Nile fever: in 2 of them (children), recent infection with WNV was confirmed by a significant increase of antibody titer between acute and convalescent serum samples.     

Attractiveness of vertebrate hosts to Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) and other mosquitoes in Israel.

Host preferences of mosquitoes, mainly Culex pipiens L. and Aedes caspius (Pallas), were studied in Israel using live baits, chemical attractants, light, and suction traps. The feeding habits of Cx. pipiens were opportunistic. This species used a wide range of mammalian and avian hosts; a calf, chickens, turkeys, and sheep were the most attractive baits. A. caspius fed mainly on large mammals and was most attracted to calf and sheep baits. Although sheep were attractive, few Cx. pipiens and no Ae. caspius engorged after entering the traps. In addition to defensive behavior and the mechanical protection afforded by the wool, sheep may possess a close-acting repellent that deters mosquitoes from biting. CO2 was the best attractant for host-seeking Cx. pipiens and Ae. caspius, Aedes detritus (Haliday), Culiseta annulata (Schrank), Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart), and Uranotaenia unguiculata Edwards were caught in small numbers, and their bloodmeal hosts were recorded.     

West Nile virus from female and male mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in subterranean, ground, and canopy habitats in Connecticut

In total, 93,532 female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were captured in traps placed in subterranean (catch basin), ground (approximately 1.5 m above ground), and canopy (approximately 7.0 m above ground) habitats in Stamford and Stratford, CT, during 2003-2005. Culex pipiens L. was the most abundant (64.8%) of the 31 species identified. Significantly greater numbers of Cx. pipiens were captured in canopy-placed mosquito magnet experimental traps, and significantly greater numbers were collected in catch basin-placed (Centers for Disease Control) CDC traps than in CDC traps placed elsewhere. Culex restuans Theobald was captured in significantly greater numbers in traps placed in catch basins. Aedes vexans (Meigen), Aedes cinereus Meigen, and Aedes cantator (Coquillett) were significantly more abundant in ground traps. In total, 429 isolations of West Nile virus (WNV) were made from seven species of mosquitoes from late June through the end of October during 2003 through 2005. Three hundred ninety-eight (92.8%) isolates were from Cx. pipiens. Others were from Cx. restuans (n = 16), Culex salinarius Coquillett (n = 5), Ae. vexans (n = 4), Ae. cantator (n = 3), Aedes triseriatus (Say) (n = 2), and Ae. cinereus (n = 1). Multiple isolates from Cx. pipiens were made each week, primarily during the later part of July through the end of September. Weekly minimum infection rates (MIRs) were lower in 2004 (highest weekly MIR = 7.1) when no human cases were reported in Connecticut in comparison with 2003 and 2005 (highest weekly MIR = 83.9) when human cases were documented. Frequencies of infected pools were significantly higher in Cx. pipiens captured in traps in the canopy and significantly higher in catch basin placed traps than in traps at ground level. The physiological age structure of Cx. pipiens captured in the canopy was significantly different from that of Cx. pipiens collected in catch basins. Invariably, Cx. pipiens captured in the canopy were nulliparous or parous with ovaries in Christophers' stage 2, whereas 58.7% of the females captured in catch basins possessed ovaries filled with mature oocytes in Christophers' stage 5. Our results suggest that females in the canopy are seeking hosts, and after digestion of the bloodmeal and development of mature oocytes, they descend to catch basins for shelter and deposition of eggs. WNV was isolated from three, one, and two pools of male Cx. pipiens captured in catch basin-, ground-, and canopy-placed traps, respectively, and from six nulliparous Cx. pipiens females collected in the canopy. Weekly MIR ranged from 1.2 to 31.1 per 1,000 male specimens. These data show that mosquitoes become infected by means other than by blood feeding, possibly by transovarial transmission. The placement of traps in tree canopies and in catch basins can be used to augment current practices of placement of traps near the ground for surveillance of mosquitoes infected with WNV and for studies of the ecology of WNV.     

Blood-feeding patterns of the Culex pipiens complex in Sacramento and Yolo Counties, California

Mosquitoes in the Culex pipiens complex are competent vectors of West Nile virus (WNV; family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus) in the laboratory, and field-collected mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in California and elsewhere. A better understanding of Cx. pipiens complex blood-feeding patterns will help define the threat that these mosquitoes pose to human health and their role in WNV amplification in northern California. We collected blood-engorged Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes from resting sites near and away from human habitation in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene sequences were used to identify the vertebrate species from which blood meals were taken. Of 330 engorged mosquitoes collected at 28 sites from June through August 2007 and May through August 2008, >99% fed on an avian host. Three mosquitoes contained bovine blood and none had fed on a human. American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were bitten most often, and the proportion of American Robin blood meals increased significantly over the summer. Other important avian hosts included House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus), Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), and Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura). In rural areas, Barn Swallows, Brewer's Blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus), and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) were frequent hosts. In settings near human habitation, Mourning Doves and Western Meadowlarks were common hosts. Our data indicate that in north central California mosquitoes in the Cx. pipiens complex may be more important as epiornitic than epidemic vectors of WNV.     

Impact of trap elevation on estimates of abundance, parity rates, and body size of Culex pipiens and Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae)

Trapping success, abundance, parity rate, and body size indices of Culex pipiens (L.) and Culex restuans Theobald, important vectors of West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV), were determined for specimens captured from both ground level (approximately 1-m) and elevated (approximately 6- to 7-m) CO2-baited CDC miniature light traps. Mosquitoes were collected from six study sites in Albany County, New York, from mid-May to mid-October 2004. There was no significant difference in abundance or mean parity for either Cx. pipiens or Cx. restuans between the elevated and the ground-level traps. Mosquitoes collected in elevated traps tended to be larger than mosquitoes collected at ground level. Elevated traps captured significantly fewer mosquitoes per trap-night than did ground traps, but a greater proportion of those captured were Culex spp. Therefore, elevated traps more efficiently captured Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans with similar reproductive status and body size and reduced the time necessary to sort and identify collections. These findings may be beneficial to researchers or surveillance programs focusing on Cx. pipiens or Cx. restuans.     

Experimental vertical transmission of West Nile virus by Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Despite the detection of West Nile (WN) virus in overwintering Culex pipiens L. in New York in February 2000, the mechanism by which this virus persists throughout the winter to initiate infections in vertebrate hosts and vectors the following spring remains unknown. After a blood meal, parous mosquitoes generally do not survive until spring and gonotrophic dissociation occurs in only a small percentage of the population. To investigate vertical transmission as a means of viral survival during interepizootics, we intrathoracically inoculated Cx. pipiens and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) with WN virus and subsequently tested their F1 progeny for the presence of virus. Among the Cx. pipiens, we recovered virus from two of 1,417 adult progeny that had been reared at 18 degrees C for a minimal filial infection rate (MFIR) of approximately 1.4/1,000 and four of 1,873 adult progeny reared at 26 degrees C (MFIR = 2.1/1,000). The mean titer of the positive pools was 10(5.6) plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml (=10(5.9) PFU/mosquito for positive mosquitoes) of virus. Overall, the MFIR was approximately 1.8/1,000 for Cx. pipiens. Although reports indicate that Ae. albopictus vertically transmit various viruses in the Japanese encephalitis virus complex, we did not detect WN virus in any of > 13,000 F1 progeny of WN virus-inoculated specimens. Female Cx. pipiens that are vertically infected during the late summer season and then survive the winter could serve as a source of WN virus to initiate an infection cycle the following spring.