Infection of Mansonia perturbans and Psorophora ferox Mosquitoes with Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Abstract

Two species of mosquitoes, Mansonia perturbans (Walker) and Psorophora ferox (Humboldt), were allowed to feed upon guinea pigs infected with the virus of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis. After 2 weeks incubation at 80[degree]F, the infection rate and guinea pig transmission rate for M. perturbans were found to be 83% and 38%, respectively, and for P. ferox, 84% and 11%, respectively. Virus was isolated from 7 of 16 M. perturbans egg rafts, but not from the eggs of P. ferox. The significance of the infected eggs is still unknown.