Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) communities of metropolitan Perth, Western Australia, and implications for managing pest and public health risks

Abstract

AbstractMosquito population data in the Perth Metropolitan area are limited. This research aimed to determine mosquito species abundance and composition within three local government areas of inner metropolitan Perth. A secondary aim was to determine whether mosquito species abundance and composition in the study area were related to proximity of known saltmarsh mosquito breeding sites along two major tidal estuary systems. Eleven mosquito species were collected, of which four were found in high abundance: Aedes vigilax, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex annulirostris and Aedes notoscriptus. The majority of mosquitoes were collected within 1 km of the tidal estuary systems, suggesting that productive mosquito breeding habitat is likely to be located along the fringe of the estuaries. The implication for mosquito management is that saltmarsh mosquitoes are not the only type of mosquito species in the study area. Broadening surveillance and management methods to include freshwater and container breeding species will reduce nuisance concerns for the public and is also likely to reduce incidence of disease in the area.