Journal of Medical Entomology (1999) 36, 407-409

Michael J. Turell (1999)
Vector competence of three Venezuelan mosquitoes (Diptera : Culicidae) for an epizootic IC strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
Journal of Medical Entomology 36 (4), 407-409
Abstract: Experimental studies were undertaken to evaluate the vector competence of selected mosquito species [Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Culex declarator Dyar and Knab, and Mansonia titillans (Walker)] from northwestern Venezuela for the epizootic (IC) strain of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus that was responsible for the 1995 outbreak of VEE in this area. Ae. taeniorhynchus was highly susceptible to infection (94% of 35), and 89% had a disseminated infection. Virus-exposed Ae. taeniorhynchus that refed on susceptible hamsters readily transmitted virus, confirming that this species was an efficient vector of VEE virus. In contrast, only 1 of 28 (4%) Cx. declarator was infected, and that individual did not develop a disseminated infection. Ma. titillans was moderately susceptible (3 of 8 infected, 38%), and 2 (25%) of these had a disseminated infection. These data indicate that Ae. taeniorhynchus was an important epizootic vector during the 1995 VEE outbreak in Columbia and Venezuela.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Michael J. Turell

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Culex declarator		Venezuela
	Aedes taeniorhynchus		Venezuela
	Mansonia titillans		Venezuela