Host finding, feeding patterns and evidence for a memorized home range of the mosquito Aedes cantans

Abstract

ELISA tests of Aedes cantans bloodmeals in woodland near Liverpool during 1989 and 1990, revealed preferences for sheep and cows, these hosts representing more than 60% of the total. Dispersal studies carried out on newly-emerged adults and those caught at human bait, indicated that individuals move freely between the two woods studied, mixing as a single population. Mean recapture rates for mosquitoes marked with paint were 2.28% in 1989 and 6.3% in 1990. Recapture rates for mosquitoes marked with powder were 3.66% in 1989 and 6.25% in 1990. The patterns of dispersal of adult females suggest that Aedes cantans has a learned and memorized familiar area map and possesses a sense of location.