Seasonal activity and abundance of the arbovirus vector Culex annulirostris skuse near Echuca, Victoria, in the Murray Valley of Southeastern Australia 1979-1985.

Abstract

Abundance of Culex annulirostris in a state forest near Echuca, northern Victoria, was sampled with a dry ice-baited EVS trap from 1979 to 1985, generally on a fortnightly basis. The species regularly became active from October, the population reached peak abundance in mid summer and then declined to become undetectable from late May. Abundance varied between years, related to availability of larval habitats. The results confirm a pattern of seasonal activity in the Murray Valley that is relevant to arbovirus epidemiology and to vector control.