Host feeding patterns of Culex vishnui sub group of mosquitoes in Dibrugarh district of Assam.

The host feeding patterns of three species of mosquitoes belonging to vishnui sub group, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex vishnui and Culex pseudovishnui, the most prevalent species in Dibrugarh district were determined by analysing their blood meals. All 3 species were found be essentially zoophilic. High percentage of pig feeding was observed in Culex tritaeniorhynchus (40 per cent) and Culex vishnui (35.3 per cent) in comparison to other prevalent species in this area. In contrast Culex pseudovishnui another member of this group was not attracted to pigs (0.4 per cent). Few human feeds were recorded for Culex tritaeniorhynchus (0.4 per cent), Culex vishnui (0.4 per cent) and Culex pseudovishnui (0.8 per cent), indicating their occasional contact with human hosts. Considering the importance of this group as proven vectors of Japanese encephalitis the relevance of these results to JE transmission in this area are discussed.