Evaluation of 1-octen-3-ol, carbon dioxide, and light as attractants for mosquitoes associated with two distinct habitats in North Carolina.

Field studies were conducted in North Carolina to determine the responses of mosquitoes found in salt marsh and inland creek flood plain areas to 1-octen-3-ol (octenol), carbon dioxide (CO2), and light in various combinations with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps. Over 56,000 adult mosquito specimens of 12 species in 4 genera were collected in the salt marsh. They exhibited a general response pattern of octenol + CO2 + light > CO2 + light = octenol + CO2 > octenol + light > octenol alone. Significantly, more Aedes sollicitans, Ae. taeniorhynchus, Anopheles bradleyi, and Culex salinarius were attracted to octenol + CO2 + light than to CO2 + light. Over 19,000 specimens of 24 species in 7 genera were collected in the inland creek flood plain. Although the response patterns to the attractants were similar to those in the salt marsh area, there was no significant difference between octenol + CO2 + light and CO2 + light. Aedes vexans, An. crucians, and An. punctipennis were attracted nearly equally to these two attractant combinations. These studies demonstrate that responses to combinations of these attractants are species specific. However, different combinations of attractants can significantly increase the collection of targeted species important in arbovirus transmission. The use of these combinations would be very beneficial in mosquito-borne virus surveillance studies. The use of octenol by itself or in conjunction with light was found the least useful for collecting mosquitoes in both habitats.

North Carolina mosquito records. I. Uncommon Aedes and Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae).

New distribution records are provided for 10 mosquito species that are rare or uncommon in North Carolina: Aedes aegypti, Ae. cinereus, Ae. dupreei, Ae. fulvus pallens, Ae. hendersoni, Ae. mitchellae, Ae. thibaulti, Ae. tormentor, Ae. trivittatus, and Anopheles atropos. Biological notes are provided for habitats, behavior, and, in some cases, color patterns. Comments are also made about 6 additional species that are rare or uncommon in North Carolina.

Identifying Psorophora horrida females in North Carolina (Diptera:Culicidae).

Morphological characters to separate Psorophora horrida (Dyar and Knab) and Psorophora ferox (Von Humboldt) females are identified and defined. In addition to the 3 characters used to separate these 2 species in published keys, an additional 6 characters were found. Of the total of 9 characters identified, 6 are reliable at the 100% level, based on North Carolina specimens. These additional characters will assist greatly in identifying Ps, horrida specimens. Variation or hindtarsomere 4 of Ps. horrida, consisting of dark-scaled patterns, were also noted. Characters for separating Psorophora cyanescens (Coq.) and Psorophora mathesoni Belkin and Heinemann from Ps. ferox and Ps. horrida are discussed.