HOST-SEEKING ACTIVITY OF MOSQUITOES
IN MASSACHUSETTS
Frank Cornine III
Central Mass. MCP
111 Otis St.
Northboro, MA 01532
ABSTRACT
In evaluating various time
periods for ULV adulticiding potential, the Central Massachusetts Mosquito
Control Project (CMMCP) and the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project
conducted mosquito surveillance using programmable collection devices to observe
the host-seeking activity periods for local mosquito species. Collections were made in multiple
environments for 3 hour intervals around sunset, being the point of
interest. Two collection periods were
prior to sunset, with another four following sunset. The collections were identified into several
target groups including Aedes vexans, Coquillettidia perturbans,
Culex pipiens/restuans, Culiseta
melanura, Ochlerotatus canadensis,
Psorophora ferox, and an Anopheles
group which included Anopheles punctipennis and Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Most species showed relatively little
activity until the period before sunset.
Sunset was then followed by the largest activity period for most
targeted mosquito groups, except Psorophora
ferox, which was most active just
prior to sunset. These preliminary
findings reinforce the present adulticiding protocol for CMMCP, which is to
commence ULV applications at sunset.
Collections may be continued in upcoming seasons to determine if these
results can be further established.
Effort may be made to place rotator traps in elevated stands in hopes of
collecting greater numbers of Culex
pipiens/restuans. Presentation will
include background on host-seeking activity, project methods, results, and
application of findings.