Host-feeding patterns of the mosquito community (Diptera: Culicidae) in Aswan Governorate, Egypt.

Abstract

Mosquitoes were sampled throughout Aswan Governorate, Egypt, to determine host-feeding patterns in relation to species relative abundance. A total of 1,074 blood meals from 13 mosquito species were analyzed by the modified precipitin technique. The most abundant species, Culex pipiens, Aedes caspius, Anopheles pharoensis, and An. multicolor, fed predominantly on humans and other large mammals, but feeding strategies differed inside houses and outdoors. Inside houses Cx. pipiens accounted for 95% of collections, and 59% (142/239) fed on humans. Two anophelines, constituting 3% of indoor collections, showed anthropophilic differences; 63% (124/198) of An. pharoensis fed on humans, compared to 10% (7/70) of An. multicolor. Outdoors, Ae. caspius constituted 55% of the collections, followed by Cx. pipiens (30%) and An. pharoensis (5%). Both Ae. caspius and Cx. pipiens showed a 43% feeding rate for ovines, followed by equines, bovines, and a 7% feeding rate for humans. Outdoors, An. pharoensis fed mainly on humans (50%) and equines (30%). All common species fed on birds, and only Uranotaenia unguiculata showed evidence of reptile feeding. Based on relative abundance and host-feeding patterns, Cx. pipiens, Ae. caspius, and An. pharoensis show the highest potential for serving as vectors of disease agents in this area.