As part of the current West Nile virus survey in Alabama a comparative field evaluation of gravid trap infusions from various sources was conducted at Tuskegee National Forest in Macon County. Over a six week period infusions made from three species of emergent vegetation in Culex larval habitats were tested against a standard hay infusion that has served as a successful ovipositional attractant in past seasons. Infusions of cattail, rush and sedge were tested for their ability to attract common Culex mosquitoes of medical importance. Culex restuans, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex salinarius and Culex nigripalpus are primarily avian feeders and all are implicated in the transmission cycle of at least one disease. Improvements on the effectiveness of ovipositional attractants for these Culex species would benefit any mosquito borne disease monitoring agency.
Species 1: Diptera Culicidae Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito)
Species 2: Diptera Culicidae Culex salinarius
Species 3: Diptera Culicidae Culex restuans
Keywords: oviposition, attractant
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