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The biting habits of Aedes (Skusea) pembaensis Theo. and some other mosquitos of Faza, Pate Island, East Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

E. C. C. van Someren  and
M. Furlong
E. C. C. van Someren
Affiliation:
Division of Insect-borne Diseases, Medical Research Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya
M. Furlong
Affiliation:
Division of Insect-borne Diseases, Medical Research Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya
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Extract

Descriptions are given of 24-hour biting catches, made in and around Faza, a village on Pate Island, off the north-east coast of Kenya, East Africa.

Aedes pembaensis Theo. was the predominant mosquito in these catches but fair numbers of Aedes mombasaensis Mattingly were also taken; the biting cycles of these two are discussed. Six other species were taken in small numbers.

For Ae. pembaensis, biting cycles calculated on catches grouped for site, moon phases, neap tides and spring tides show that both moon and tide and light intensity influence the biting behaviour. Different but recurring patterns occur with various combinations of these factors.

For Ae. mombasaensis, the cycles have a very constant biphasic pattern. Catches grouped for moon phases, tides and catch sites, as for Ae. pembaensis, show that more biting females are taken at neap tides than at spring tides. Two patterns of behaviour occur, one associated with spring tides and the other with neap tides. An even level of biting activity occurs during the night with intense and prolonged moonlight; otherwise moon-phase cycles have little effect on biting behaviour.

It is felt that 24-hour biting catches can give useful information on behaviour patterns but it is desirable to have a long series of catches to analyse. For the purpose of calculating biting cycles, the results of catches showing similar modifications in behaviour should be treated separately.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 55 , Issue 1 , May 1964 , pp. 97 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1964

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References

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