Mosquito host preference studies in Hale County, Texas *

Vector-Host Interactions Governing Epidemiology of West Nile Virus in Southern California

“…tarsalis sampled from Kern County, the Sacramento Valley, and the Los Angeles Basin in California, in addition to analyses in Colorado and Texas. 8,38,[50][51][52][53][54][55][56] In host preference studies, where a number of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, were exposed to hostseeking mosquitoes in bait trap settings, birds were the most attractive hosts for Cx. tarsalis 57,58 ; a similar host preference investigation found that Cx.…”

Identification of mosquito avian-derived blood meals by polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex analysis.

“…tarsalis have suggested that feeding behavior may be influenced by the abundance of a particular bird species in the area under study. 19 As mentioned earlier, host life history variables may also play a role in the selection process. The finding that the common grackle was a preferred host of Cx.…”

“…tarsalis is ornithophilic but also feeds on mammals, particularly in the latter part of the year. [17][18][19] The reasons for this host switch are unclear, but it may involve a change in abundance of the host species or in some life history change on the part of the avian hosts. 19 For example, Cx.…”

“…[17][18][19] The reasons for this host switch are unclear, but it may involve a change in abundance of the host species or in some life history change on the part of the avian hosts. 19 For example, Cx. tarsalis feeds more readily upon nestling birds than adults, a difference thought to be related to the relative immobility and defenseless nature of the young.…”

Sampling Adults by Animal Bait Catches and by Animal-Baited Traps

“…A value of 1 or near 1, is said to represent more or less opportunistic feeding. This approach was used by Hayes et al (1973) to investigate possible seasonal shifts in feeding patterns in Texas. In studying host preferences of Psorophora columbiae and Anopheles crucians Kuntz et al (1982) carried out a census of the proportions of available hosts in a rice field area in Texas, and applied the forage ratio technique to results of precipitin tests performed on wild-caught adults.…”