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THE SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) COLLECTED DURING A ST. LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FROM 1976 TO 1978 IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

B. V. Helson ,
G. A. Surgeoner  and
R. E. Wright
B. V. Helson
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
G. A. Surgeoner
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
R. E. Wright
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
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Abstract

As part of a St. Louis Encephalitis Surveillance Program adult mosquitoes were collected weekly from May to September, 1976–1978 with dry ice-baited traps at 11 sites in four areas of southwestern Ontario. Thirty-four species from six genera were caught but of the 210,000 mosquitoes collected, three species, Mansonia perturbans (Walker), Aedes vexans (Meigen), and Culex pipiens Linnaeus (including C. restuans Theobald) comprised more than 90% of the catch. The greatest number of species were collected in June and July. The greatest number of mosquitoes were captured in July as the three principal species were most abundant at this time. The seasonal distributions of the nine most common species are presented and explanations suggested for the patterns of some of these. This study confirms and extends the findings of previous mosquito surveys in southwestern Ontario and should provide useful information for future programs on mosquito research and control in this region. Based on its seasonal pattern, relative abundance, SLE virus isolations and its record as an efficient vector in the USA, C. pipiens is probably an important vector of SLE in southwestern Ontario.

Résumé

Dans le cadre d’un programme de dépistage de l’encéphalite de St-Louis, des collections hebdomadaires de moustiques ont été effectuées de mai à septembre 1976–1978, à l’aide de pièges appâtés à la glace sèche dans 4 comtés du sud-ouest ontarien. Trente quatre espàces appartenant à 6 genres ont été recensées, cependant parmi les 210,000 captures obtenues, 3 espàces, Mansonia perturbons (Walker), Aedes vexans (Meigen) et Culex pipiens Linnaeus (C. restuans Theobald inclus) ont fourni plus de 90% du total. Le plus grand nombre d’espèces a été obtenu en juin et juillet. Le nombre maximum de captures a été observé en juillet, le maximum d’abondance des 3 espèces dominantes ayant été observé à ce moment. Les distributions saisonnières des 9 espèces les plus communes sont présentées, et des explications possibles sont suggérées pour les fluctuations caractéristiques de certaines de ces espàces. Cette étude confirme les résultats d’inventaires des moustiques effectués précédemment dans le sud-ouest de l’Ontario, et devrait apporter des informations utiles pour tout programme éventuel de recherche et de contrôle des moustiques dans cette région. C. pipiens est probablement un important vecteur du virus de SLE dans le sud-ouest ontarien, comme l’indiquent sa distribution saisonnière, son abondance relative, des cas d’isolation du virus de SLE, et la mise en évidence de son efficacité comme vecteur aux USA.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 112 , Issue 9 , 01 September 1980 , pp. 865 - 874
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

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