Species composition and population studies of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Mildura district in the Murray Valley of southern Australia

Abstract

AbstractThe adult mosquito population in the Mildura area was surveyed weekly from November to April in 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 using CO2 baited light traps. A total of 43 039 mosquitoes were trapped, which included 23 species from 5 genera. Ochlerotatus sapiens Marks and Anopheles amictus Edwards had not previously been recorded in Victoria. A number of other species had not been recorded in earlier studies of the area. Culex annulirostris Skuse was the dominant species. During the spring, summer and autumn of 1999–2000, Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus (Thomson) was trapped in higher numbers than had been seen in earlier studies. The implications for arbovirus transmission are discussed in relation to the range and number of species trapped.