Vector Competence of Aedes notoscriptus (Diptera: Culicidae) for Ross River Virus in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) mosquitoes colonized from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, were fed on blood containing Ross River (RR) virus isolated from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. This colony was highly susceptible to infection, ID₅₀ = 10^3.2 CCID₅₀ per mosquito, with titers in infected mosquitoes peaking 9 d after infection. Transmission occurred between days 9 and 14, with a maximum rate of 13% between days 12 and 14 after infection. Considering the peridomestic abundance and human blood feeding habit of Ae. notoscriptus, positive transmission of RR virus indicates the need to consider this species more seriously in the context of urban RR transmission.