Ecological Observations on Forest Mosquitoes of an Endemic Yellow Fever Area in Panama 1

Abstract

Summary Observations on breeding habits and adult mosquito activities including vertical distribution, biting, mating and egg-laying, are given for diurnal forest mosquitoes occurring in the Canal Zone and in Central Panama. Information on breeding habits of forest mosquitoes was gained from weekly collections of larvae obtained from tree holes, bamboo traps and miscellaneous breeding containers. Two types of bamboo traps were used, those with open top and those with top closed and a small hole cut through the side. Bamboo traps were set at ground level, and in the forest canopy at five tree stations. The larval collections of Haemagogus spegazzinii falco Kumm et al., Sabethes chloropterus (Humboldt), and S. tarsopus Dyar and Knab were not commensurate with adult collections of these species in the forest areas; however, very few tree holes in the forest canopy were examined during the study. Sabethes cyaneus (Fabricius) and S. chloropterus are known to breed in deep cavities in trees and the adults carry through the unfavorable dry season when the adults of Haemagogus spp. practically disappear from the forest. The host relationship of these species with the primates inhabiting the forest and their potential ability to transmit the virus of yellow fever should be carefully investigated.