Host-Feeding Patterns of Florida Mosquitoes: III. Culex (Culex) and Culex (Neoculex)1

Abstract

The host blood sources of 5 species of Culex collected from several sites on both Florida coasts were identified by precipitin tests. Results indicate that in Florida (1) Culex territans is essentially a parasite of cold-blooded vertebrates as it is elsewhere, (2) Culex Pipiens quinquefasciatus is a general feeder, mostly on domestic birds and mammals, and passerines, (3) Culex salinarius is also a general feeder but C. salinarius tends to feed primarily on mammals in certain habitats, (4) Culex nigripalpus is an extremely opportunistic mosquito which feeds mainly on cattle and rabbits, and ciconiiform, passerine, and galliform birds. C. nigripalpus showed an annual shift in feeding during all 6 years of the study. This vector species feeds mainly on avian hosts in winter and spring and then shifts to near equal or greater feeding on mammals in summer and fall. The time and magnitude of the shift varied from year to year in correspondence with the onset and duration of the rainy season. Possible explanations for the feeding shift are discussed and evidence in support of a seasonal change in mosquito flight habits as a result of changing moisture levels is presented.