Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna in parks in greater São Paulo, Brazil / Fauna de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) em parques da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil

Municipal parks in the city of São Paulo, which are used for leisure purposes, contain remnants of the flora of the Atlantic Forest, as well as lakes and springs, and are home to mammals, birds and arthropods, some of which can be vectors of disease. The eastern side of the city has the largest population in São Paulo and twenty-four municipal parks. The aim of this study was to investigate Culicidae fauna in two parks on this side of the city and to determine which of the Culicidae species identified have the potential to act as bioindicators and vectors of human pathogens. Culicidae were collected monthly between March 2011 and February 2012 in Carmo Park and Chico Mendes Park with battery-powered aspirators, Shannon traps and CDC traps for adult mosquitoes, and larval dippers and suction samplers for immature mosquitoes. To confirm sample sufficiency, the EstimateS program was used to plot sample-based species accumulation curves and estimate total richness by the Jackknife 1 method. In all, 1,092 culicids from nine genera (Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Trichoprosopon, Toxorhynchites and Uranotaenia) and nineteen taxonomic units were collected in Carmo Park. Coquillettidia venezuelensis (Theobald 1912), Aedes scapularis (Rondani 1848) and Culex (Culex) spp. Linnaeus 1758 were the most abundant adults, and Culex (Melanoconion) spp. Theobald 1903 and Anopheles strodei Root 1926 the most abundant immature mosquitoes. In Chico Mendes Park 4,487 mosquitoes in six genera and eighteen taxonomic units were collected. Culex (Cux.) spp. and Ae. scapularis were the most abundant adults, and Ae. albopictus (Skuse 1984) the most abundant immature mosquitoes. The species accumulation curves in both parks were close to the asymptote, and the total richness estimate was close to the observed richness. Some culicid taxons are bioindicators of environmental conditions in the areas they inhabit. It is important to monitor native fauna in municipal parks in São Paulo as various species in this study were found to have vector competence and capacity to transmit pathogens, such as arboviruses.

Em São Paulo os parques municipais preservam resquícios da vegetação de Mata Atlântica, comportam lagos e nascentes, servem de abrigos para mamíferos, aves e artrópodes vetores. São frequentados pela população humana como ambientes de lazer. A zona Leste da cidade possui o maior índice populacional de habitantes e 24 parques municipais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a fauna de Culicidae de dois parques da zona Leste da cidade e avaliar a presença de espécies potencialmente bioindicadoras e vetoras de patógenos ao homem. Foram feitas coletas mensais de culicídeos entre março de 2011 a fevereiro de 2012 no Parque do Carmo e no Parque Chico Mendes, com aspiradores elétricos, armadilhas de Shannon e CDC para mosquitos adultos e concha entomológica e bombas manuais de sucção para os imaturos. Para verificar a suficiência amostral foram construídas curvas de acúmulo de espécies por amostragem e a riqueza total foi estimada pelo método Jackknife 1, ambos gerados pelo programa EstimateS. No parque do Carmo foram coletados 1.092 culicídeos, distribuídos em nove gêneros (Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Limatus, Mansonia, Trichoprosopon, Toxorhynchites e Uranotaenia), distribuídos em 19 unidades taxonômicas. Coquillettidia venezuelensis(Theobald 1912), Aedes scapularis (Rondani 1848)e Culex (Culex) spp. Linnaeus 1758 foram os adultos mais abundantes e Culex (Melanoconion) spp. Theobald 1903 e Anopheles strodei Root 1926 os imaturos. No Parque Chico Mendes obteve-se 4.487 mosquitos, distribuídos em seis gêneros e 18 unidades taxonômicas. Culex (Cux.) spp. e Ae. scapularis foram os mais abundantes dos adultos e Ae. albopictus (Skuse 1984) dos imaturos. As curvas de acúmulo de espécies por amostragem em ambos os parques chegaram próximas è assíntota e a estimativa de riqueza total mostrou-se próxima è riqueza observada. Alguns táxons de culicídeos são bioindicadores das condições ambientais dos locais onde vivem, portanto é necessário acompanhar a fauna nativa dos parques municipais porque várias espécies encontradas têm mostrado competência e capacidade para veicular patógenos e arbovírus.

Feeding habits of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an area of sylvatic transmission of yellow fever in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

AbstractBackground The reintroduction of sylvatic yellow fever in the state of São Paulo after about six decades was confirmed in the Northwestern region in 2000, where in 2008 there also occurred an important epizootic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding habits of culicids potentially involved in the sylvatic transmission of the virus in this region.Methods Specimens were collected in 24 forested localities at ground level with hand nets and mouth aspirators. Collections were made quarterly between October 2006 and July 2008 during daylight hours. Blood-meal identification was carried out in mosquitoes of the tribes Aedini, Mansoniini and Sabethini. The biotin/avidin sandwich ELISA was employed to determine six source types: bird, bovine, equine, rat, human and monkey.Results A total of 24,879 females of the three tribes were obtained, 245 (0.98%) of which were engorged. The presence of three different blood sources per engorged female was the predominant situation, and included 35.10% of the total of samples processed. Samples with two or four different sources were represented by 25.31% and 25.71%, of the specimens, respectively, while just 9.39% had only one type and 1.22%, five different sources. Aedes scapularis, Ae. serratus(Group),Psorophora albigenu and Ps. ferox were the most abundant species and accounted for about 95% of the engorged specimens. Of the principal vector species,Haemagogus janthinomys/capricorniiwas found with bird, bovine and primate blood. These sources were predominant and alternated top ranking as the most frequent source according to the mosquito species and collection site. In general, primate blood was the most prevalent source.Conclusions The human population of the region visits this ecotone frequently, which indicates the need for the periodical assessment of vaccination coverage against yellow fever. The frequency of non-human primate blood source in mosquito species that show minor vector importance in yellow fever virus transmission deserves attention. The eclectic feeding habits and some aspects of the interactions between potential vectors and reservoirs of yellow fever may be associated with the habitat fragmentation characteristic of the region. We recommend that further studies on the capacity and vector competence be performed on secondary vectors in extra-Amazonian region.

Feeding habits of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an area of sylvatic transmission of yellow fever in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Background The reintroduction of sylvatic yellow fever in the state of São Paulo after about six decades was confirmed in the Northwestern region in 2000, where in 2008 there also occurred an important epizootic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding habits of culicids potentially involved in the sylvatic transmission of the virus in this region.Methods Specimens were collected in 24 forested localities at ground level with hand nets and mouth aspirators. Collections were made quarterly between October 2006 and July 2008 during daylight hours. Blood-meal identification was carried out in mosquitoes of the tribes Aedini, Mansoniini and Sabethini. The biotin/avidin sandwich ELISA was employed to determine six source types: bird, bovine, equine, rat, human and monkey.Results A total of 24,879 females of the three tribes were obtained, 245 (0.98%) of which were engorged. The presence of three different blood sources per engorged female was the predominant situation, and included 35.10% of the total of samples processed. Samples with two or four different sources were represented by 25.31% and 25.71%, of the specimens, respectively, while just 9.39% had only one type and 1.22%, five different sources. Aedes scapularis, Ae. serratus(Group),Psorophora albigenu and Ps. ferox were the most abundant species and accounted for about 95% of the engorged specimens. Of the principal vector species,Haemagogus janthinomys/capricorniiwas found with bird, bovine and primate blood. These sources were predominant and alternated top ranking as the most frequent source according to the mosquito species and collection site. In general, primate blood was the most prevalent source.Conclusions The human population of the region visits this ecotone frequently, which indicates the need for the periodical assessment of vaccination coverage against yellow fever. The frequency of non-human primate blood source in mosquito species that show minor vector importance in yellow fever virus transmission deserves attention. The eclectic feeding habits and some aspects of the interactions between potential vectors and reservoirs of yellow fever may be associated with the habitat fragmentation characteristic of the region. We recommend that further studies on the capacity and vector competence be performed on secondary vectors in extra-Amazonian region.(AU)

Biodiversidade de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) nos parques da cidade de São Paulo I / Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) survey in parks of São Paulo City I

Diante da escassez de informações sobre mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) na cidade de São Paulo, foi proposto um projeto para estudar esse grupo de insetos nas áreas verdes representadas pelos parques municipais da cidade. Foram investigados 35 desses parques distribuídos nas regiões sul, norte e centro-oeste da cidade, entre outubro de 2010 e fevereiro de 2011 em período diurno. Os imaturos foram coletados dos criadouros por meio de conchas entomológicas e bomba de sucção e os adultos foram capturados em seus abrigos por aspirador elétrico (bateria de 12V). A identificação e catalogação de espécimes foram feitas no Laboratório de Entomologia da Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo. Nesta primeira fase do projeto, coletou-se um total de 5.129 espécimes distribuídos em 11 gêneros e 41 categorias taxonômicas. Culex (Cux.) quinquefasciatus foi a espécie mais abundante. O gênero Aedes foi representado principalmente por Ae. (Och.) fluviatilis e Ae. (Ste.) albopictus. Ae. (Ste.) aegypti e Ae. (Och.)scapularis também foram frequentes em alguns parques. Os demais gêneros apresentaram-se pouco abundantes. Dos parques, 25,7% apresentaram mais de dez grupos, com destaque para o Anhanguera com 26; em contrapartida, 57,1% apresentaram cinco ou menos grupos. Apesar da pressão antrópica sobre esses ambientes, diversas espécies de culicídeos se utilizam destes habitats para a manutenção e refúgio de suas populações. É recomendado que estes ambientes estejam sob constante vigilância epidemiológica, visto que algumas das espécies coletadas possuem importância em saúde pública como vetoras de patógenos à população humana.

Given the scarcity of information on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the city of São Paulo, led the authors to propose a project to investigate this group of insects in some of the green areas, represented by municipal parks. The captures were undertaken in 35 municipal parks in the south, north and central-west of the city, between October 2010 and February 2011, during daylight. Immature forms were collected from breeding places with entomological ladles and suction pumps and adults from resting places with electric aspirators (12V battery). The identification of the specimens was undertaken in the Culicid laboratory of the Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo. In this first phase of the project, a total of 5,129 specimens distributed in 11 genera and 41 taxonomic categories were captured. Culex (Cux) quinquefasciatus was the most abundant species. The genus Aedes was represented mainly by Ae. (Och) fluviatilis and Ae. (Ste) albopictus. Ae. (Ste) aegypti and Ae. (Och) scapularis were frequent in some parks. Other genera were less abundant. Of the parks investigated, 25.7% presented more than ten groups of species, notably the Anhanguera with 26; on the other hand, 57.1% had five or fewer groups. Despite the anthropic pressure on these environments, several culicid species make use of these habitats as refuges. It is recommended that these environments be kept under constant epidemiological surveillance as some of the species collected constitute public health threats as pathogen vectors to the human population.

Brazilian mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna: I. Anopheles species from Porto Velho, Rondônia state, western Amazon, Brazil / Fauna brasileira de mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae): I. Espécies de Anopheles de Porto Velho, estado de Rondônia, oeste da Amazônia, Brasil

This study contributes to knowledge of Anopheles species, including vectors of Plasmodium from the western Brazilian Amazon in Porto Velho, Rondônia State. The sampling area has undergone substantial environmental changes as a consequence of agricultural and hydroelectric projects, which have caused intensive deforestation and favored habitats for some mosquito species. The purpose of this study was to diagnose the occurrence of anopheline species from collections in three locations along an electric-power transmission line. Each locality was sampled three times from 2010 to 2011. The principal adult mosquitoes captured in Shannon trap were Anopheles darlingi, An. triannulatus, An. nuneztovari l.s., An.gilesi and An. costai. In addition, larvae were collected in ground breeding sites for Anopheles braziliensis, An. triannulatus, An. darlingi, An. deaneorum, An. marajoara, An. peryassui, An. nuneztovari l.s. and An. oswaldoi-konderi. Anopheles darlingi was the most common mosquito in the region. We discuss Culicidae systematics, fauna distribution, and aspects of malaria in altered habitats of the western Amazon.

Este estudo contribui para o conhecimento de espécies de Anopheles, incluindo vetores de Plasmodium do oeste da Amazônia brasileira, em Porto Velho, no estado de Rondônia. Esta região vem passando por mudanças ambientais, como consequência de agricultura extensiva e projetos hidroelétricos que causam desmatamento, favorecendo o desenvolvimento de algumas espécies de mosquitos. Assim, a proposta deste estudo é registrar a presença de espécies de anofelinos na área, sendo conduzidas coletas de mosquitos em três locais, ao longo de uma linha de transmissão de energia elétrica. Cada uma das localidades foi amostrada três vezes, no período de 2010 a 2011. Os principais mosquitos adultos capturados em armadilhas de Shannon foram Anopheles darlingi, An. triannulatus, An. nuneztovari l.s., An.gilesi e An. costai. Assim como as formas larvárias Anopheles braziliensis, An. triannulatus, An. darlingi, An. deaneorum, An. marajoara, An. peryassui, An. nuneztovari l.s. e An. oswaldoi-konderi, coletadas em criadouros. Anopheles darlingi foi a espécie mais coletada na região. Em adição, discutiu-se sistemática de Culicidae, distribuição de fauna e aspectos da malária em ambientes modificados do oeste da Amazônia brasileira.

Aspectos ecológicos de culicídeos imaturos em larvitrampas de floresta e ambiente antrópico adjacente no municipio de Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brasil / Ecological aspects of immature mosquito in larvitraps in forest and adjacent anthropic environment in the Municipality of Linhares, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Objetivo: verificar a ocorrência de espécies de culicídeos que colonizam larvitrampas. Metodologia: a pesquisa foi realizada na Floresta Nacional de Goytacazes e ambiente antrópico adjacente, situados no município de Linhares, Estado do Espírito Santo,Brasil; foram instaladas larvitrampas no solo e copa de árvores na estrada dentro do ambiente florestal e no antrópico próximo de residência humana. Resultados: entre junho de 2008 a maio de 2009, foram coletados 664 espécimes e Limatus durhamifoi a predominante, principalmente nas larvitrampas do solo; na copa de árvores do ambiente florestal, os Culex spp. foram mais frequentes, seguidos por Haemagogus leucocelaenus. Conclusão: os dados mostram que os culicídeos silvestres podem procriarem recipientes artificiais, o que aumenta o risco de contato homem-vetor; o encontro de H. leucocelaenus reveste-se de importância epidemiológica, pelo envolvimento na transmissão da febre amarela silvestre.

Objective: this research aims to asses the occurrence of mosquito species that breed in larvitraps. Methodology: the survey was conducted on Goytacazes National Forest and adjacent anthropic environment, located in the Municipality of Linhares, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil; larvitraps were installed in the ground and canopy of trees on the road within the forest, and in the anthropic environment near human dwellings. Results: between June 2008 and May 2009, 664 specimens were collected and Limatus durhami was predominant, especially in larvitraps of the ground; in the canopy of the forest environment, the Culex spp. were more frequent, followed by Haemagogus leucocelaenus. Conclusion: data show that sylvaticmosquitoes can breed in artificial containers, which increases the risk of human-vector contact; find of H. leucocelaenus is epidemiologically important because of its involvement in the transmission of sylvatic yellow fever.

Novos registros e potencial epidemiológico de algumas espécies de mosquitos (Diptera, Culicidae), no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul / New records and epidemiological potential of certain species of mosquito (Diptera, Culicidae) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: A vigilância entomológica tem se mostrado uma importante estratégia de monitoramento da fauna de culicídeos com vistas a predizer o risco de exposição a espécies vetoras de patógenos. Esse trabalho apresenta uma lista de mosquitos identificados pela primeira vez no Rio Grande do Sul e discute o potencial epidemiológico de algumas espécies ocorrentes no Município de Maquiné com registros em outras regiões do Estado. MÉTODOS: Os mosquitos foram coletados com aspirador de Nasci e armadilhas CDC, entre dezembro de 2006 e dezembro de 2008, em área silvestre, rural e urbana do Município de Maquiné. RESULTADOS: Foram verificadas 55 espécies, das quais 22 são registradas pela primeira vez no estado e 10 são potencialmente vetoras do vírus Saint Louis, Oropouche, Aura, Trocara, Ilhéus, Rocio, Una, West Nile e encefalite equina do leste. CONCLUSÕES: Esses dados demonstram a importância da Vigilância Entomológica como ferramenta de informação e ação para a Vigilância em Saúde.

INTRODUCTION: Entomological surveillance has proven to be an important strategy for monitoring culicidae fauna, aimed at predicting the risk of exposure to pathogen vector species. The present work reports species identified for the first time in the State Rio Grande do Sul and discusses the epidemiological potential displayed by mosquito species occurring in Maquiné municipality and in other regions of the State. METHODS: Mosquitoes were collected with Nasci vacuum and CDC light traps between December 2006 and December 2008, in the wild, rural and urban areas of Maquiné. RESULTS: Fifty-five species were verified, of which 22 were registered for the first time in the state and 10 are potential vector species for the Saint Louis, Oropouche, Aura, Trocara, Ilhéus, Rocio, Una, West Nile, and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the importance of entomological surveillance as a tool for gathering information and promoting Health Surveillance actions.

Ecologia de Haemagogus e Sabethes (Diptera: Culicidae) em áreas epizoóticas do vírus da febre amarela, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Ecology of Haemagogus and Sabethes (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in epizootic yellow regions of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Objetivou-se com este estudo investigar característica ecológica e o hábito alimentar de Haemagogus e Sabethes em área epizoótica da febre amarela silvestre em duas localidades do Rio Grande do Sul, capturados com aspirador, armadilha de Shannon e puçá. Para identificação do sangue ingerido pelas fêmeas foi utilizada a técnica imunoenzimática ELISA de captura. Obteve-se maior atividade de Hg. leucocelaenus na primavera e outono, entre 12 e 17 horas, enquanto Sabethes albiprivus e Sa. quasycianus durante todo o ano. Para fêmeas de Hg. leucocelaenus em Santo Antônio das Missões, houve predomínio de sangue humano e para as demais espécies destaca-se a atratividade para bovinos nos dois municípios. A capacidade vetorial do Hg. leucocelaenus fundamenta vigilância entomológica em seu papel de estratificar áreas problemas ou a sustentabilidade do programa de imunização da população.

The study was conducted in epizootic areas of sylvatic yellow fever in two municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul State, with the objective to investigate ecological characteristics of Haemagogus and Sabethes mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were collected using Shannon traps and insect nets. The host-feeding pattern was tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest activity levels were observed for Hg. leucocelaenus during spring and autumn, between 12 and17 hours, while Sabethes albiprivus and Sa. quasycianus were common throughout the year. The blood of females of Hg. leucocelaenus at one municipality, Santo Antonio das Missoes, was of human origin. Considering the other species, inboth municipalities of the study, bovine blood was predominant. The vectorial capacity of Hg. leucocelaenus justifies the entomological surveillance in order to stratify problematic areas or the sustainability of an immunization program.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) near a reservoir in the Western part of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina / Mosquitos (Diptera:Culicidae) nos arredores de uma represa no oeste do estado brasileiro sulino de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Anopheline and other mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the southern Brazilian State of Santa Catarina have been studied mostly near the Atlantic sea coast and are not well known in other regions of the state. Collections were made near a reservoir in the western portion of the state. At least 26 species were represented in the collections; 10 are recorded for the first time for the state: Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Mansonia wilsoni, Ochlerotatus fluviatilis, Psorophora ciliata, Ps. discrucians, Ps. lanei, Culex bigoti, Sabethes belisarioi and Sa. identicus, and 12 for the first time in the western portion of the state: Anopheles albitarsis, An. intermedius, An. lutzi, An. parvus, An. strodei, Chagasia fajardi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Limatus durhamii, Sa. aurescens, Sa. melanonymphe, Trichoprosopon pallidiventer and Wyeomyia limai. The possible medical and veterinary significance of the findings is discussed.

Anofelíneos e alguns outros mosquitos (Diptera: Culicidae) no Estado de Santa Catarina, no sul do Brasil, foram estudados principalmente ao leste, próximo à costa, e não são bem conhecidos em outras regiões do estado. Foram realizadas coletas nas proximidades de uma represa no oeste do estado. Pelo menos 26 espécies estavam representadas nas amostras; dez delas são relatadas pela primeira vez no estado: Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Mansonia wilsoni, Ochlerotatus fluviatilis, Psorophora ciliata, Ps. discrucians, Ps. lanei, Culex bigoti, Sabethes belisarioi e Sa. identicus, e 12 pela primeira vez no oeste do estado: Anopheles albitarsis, An. intermedius, An. lutzi, An. parvus, An. strodei, Chagasia fajardi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Limatus durhamii, Sa. aurescens, Sa. melanonymphe, Trichoprosopon pallidiventer e Wyeomyia limai. A possível importância médica e veterinária dos relatos é discutida.