Vector-Host Interactions of Culex pipiens Complex in Northeastern and Southwestern USA

Abstract

Studies on the vector-host interactions of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes by sequencing portions of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicate that Cx. p. pipiens f. pipiens predominantly feed on avian hosts (93.1%), and focus feeding activity on several key bird species, in particular the American robin, the gray catbird, and the house sparrow in Connecticut. However, Cx. p. quinquefasciatus indiscriminately feed on both birds and mammals. Culex p. quinquefasciatus in Harris County - Texas and southern California acquired 39.1% and 88.2% of bloodmeals from birds, respectively. Mammalian-derived bloodmeals constituted 52.5% and 9.6% in the two regions, respectively. The most frequent avian hosts for this mosquito species in the southwestern U.S. were the mourning dove, the white-winged dove, the house sparrow and the house finch. Humans infrequently served as the source of bloodmeals for Cx. p. pipiens and Cx. p. quinquefasciatus. Microsatellite analysis of mosquitoes from Chicago, Illinois showed that Cx. p. pipiens f. pipiens with mammalian- derived bloodmeals had significantly higher ancestry and proportion of hybrids from Cx. p. pipiens f. molestus than did those with avian-derived bloodmeals.