Species composition and feeding success of mosquitoes attracted to caged dogs in Indiana.

A field study using caged dogs in mosquito bait traps was conducted in eastcentral Indiana to determine the species composition of mosquitoes coming to feed. Fourteen species of mosquitoes from 5 genera were collected; Aedes trivittatus predominated. Feeding success rates were measured as the percentage of mosquitoes collected that had a fresh blood meal. The species having the highest rates were: Culex erraticus, Aedes stimulans and Ae. trivittatus. Aedes vexans and Cx. pipiens/restuans had markedly lower feeding success rates. A New Jersey light trap operated at the same site each year yielded a different species composition. Because of its propensity for feeding on dogs, Ae. trivittatus may be considered as a major potential vector of heartworm disease in dogs, even where it is one of several possible vector species present in abundance.