Transmission of La Crosse virus by four strains of Aedes albopictus to and from the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

Eastern chipmunks were successfully infected with La Crosse virus by bites of 3 New World strains of Aedes albopictus infected orally or transovarially. The virus was subsequently passed from the chipmunks to Ae. albopictus, POTOSI strain, and Ae. triseriatus. The chipmunks developed viremias of 1-4 days duration and antibody titers were similar in intensity and duration to those reported in chipmunks infected by Ae. triseriatus. After feeding on viremic chipmunks, Ae. albopictus became infected and transmitted La Crosse virus at rates similar to the native vector, Ae. triseriatus. Aedes albopictus transmitted La Crosse virus transovarially to first gonotrophic cycle offspring.