Dispersal and flight range studies on Mansonia annulata, Ma. indiana, and Ma. uniformis (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern Thailand.

Abstract

Flight range and dispersal of Mansonia annulata, MA. indiana , and MA. uniformis associated with 1 h of host-seeking flight activities during the early night was estimated by measurements of mosquito densities in relation to distance from an isolated breeding pool. Mansonia density generally decreased with distance, and dispersal was strongly influenced by the type of habitat. Mansonia annulata was the weakest flier of the 3 species, while Ma. indiana and MA. uniformis dispersed in a similar pattern. For all 3 species, dispersal was more pronounced in forest than in open field, which acted as a barrier. Median flight ranges for the 2 types of habitat, respectively, were 130 and 0 m for Ma. annulata , 550 and 0 m for Ma. indiana , and 350 and 30 m for MA. uniformis . The dispersal radius of 70% of the population in the 2 habitats, respectively, was 250 and 0 m for Ma. annulata , 720 and 150 m for Ma. indiana , and 700 and 150 m for MA. uniformis . Maximum flight ranges of 1000, 1400, and 1700 m were observed for the 3 species, respectively.